Health authorities in the Brazilian state of Paraná have officially confirmed two cases of hantavirus, a serious viral disease transmitted primarily by wild rodents. The confirmed patients include a 34-year-old man from Pérola d'Oeste in the Sudoeste region and a 28-year-old woman from Ponta Grossa in the Campos Gerais area.
According to the Secretaria de Estado da Saúde (Sesa), the state's public health network is actively monitoring the situation. In addition to the two confirmed infections, 11 other suspected cases remain under investigation, while 21 potential cases have already been discarded. Officials have stated that the disease is currently under control within the state.
The alert regarding hantavirus gained international attention following a World Health Organization (WHO) report of deaths linked to the virus on a cruise ship that departed from Argentina bound for Cabo Verde. At least three people died during that voyage. However, authorities in Paraná have emphasized that the local cases have no connection to the cruise ship outbreak.
Hantavirus is not a new disease. It is a viral zoonosis, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. The primary mode of transmission occurs when people inhale particles contaminated with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. The risk of exposure increases significantly in enclosed, poorly ventilated environments such as warehouses, silos, barns, and cabins.
The case in Pérola d'Oeste is particularly noteworthy due to the municipality's proximity to the Argentine border. Argentina has experienced a significant surge in hantavirus infections, with its Ministry of Health confirming 101 cases since June 2025—nearly double the number recorded during the same period the previous year. Specific details about the Pérola d'Oeste patient have not been publicly released.
In Ponta Grossa, the municipal health secretariat is conducting its own investigation. Officials there have indicated that the patient was likely contaminated in a different city, though the specific location was not disclosed. In 2025, Paraná had recorded only a single case of the disease, which occurred in Cruz Machado in the southern part of the state.
Initial symptoms of hantavirus often resemble those of a severe flu, including fever, body aches, headache, malaise, and gastrointestinal issues. In more severe cases, patients may develop a dry cough, shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure, and respiratory failure. Infectologist Gabriela Gehring noted that not all patients progress to severe forms of the illness, as some experience only nonspecific symptoms.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus. Medical care focuses on supportive therapy and close hospital monitoring. Health officials urge the public to seek immediate medical attention upon noticing early symptoms, especially after potential exposure to environments where rodents may be present. Preventive measures include keeping properties clean, storing food in sealed containers, removing debris near homes, and using gloves and closed footwear during cleaning. Authorities recommend using damp cleaning methods in enclosed spaces like silos and warehouses to prevent contaminated particles from becoming airborne.
Based on reporting from g1.