The case that mobilized health authorities in São Paulo and led to the adoption of strict biosecurity protocols had an important outcome this Monday (1st). The Adolfo Lutz Institute reported that the test performed on the 37-year-old patient hospitalized at the Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology ruled out the presence of the Ebola virus..
According to the reference laboratory, no genetic material from the virus was identified in the sample collected from the man, who remains hospitalized in isolation in the specialized unit in the capital of São Paulo.
The patient, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had been classified as a suspected case due to a recent history of travel to the African country and the presentation of symptoms consistent with the disease. Simultaneously, a diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis had already been confirmed.
Despite testing negative for Ebola, representatives from the Ministry of Health, the State Health Secretariat, and the Emílio Ribas Hospital met on Monday morning to assess the need for a confirmatory test. As of now, it has not been announced whether a new analysis will be conducted.
The case triggered emergency protocols.
The suspicion arose from the combination of the patient's clinical picture and his recent travels through the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country facing an outbreak of the disease.
Before being transferred to Emílio Ribas Hospital, the man sought treatment at an Urgent Care Unit (UPA), presenting with a high fever and inconclusive malaria tests.
When he arrived at the referral institute, his health condition was already considered serious. He presented with diarrhea, disorientation, and rapid clinical deterioration, which led the medical team to opt for intubation.
According to infectious disease specialist Raulcion Teixeira, who is following the case at Emílio Ribas Hospital, the patient is receiving antibiotic treatment and hydration. In addition, people who had contact with him during the flight and initial medical care are being monitored by health authorities.
Authorities emphasize low risk for Brazil.
Despite the initial suspicion, the State Health Department emphasizes that the risk of Ebola being introduced into Brazil and South America continues to be considered very low.
Among the factors taken into account are the absence of autochthonous transmission of the disease in the South American continent, the lack of direct flights between the affected areas and South America, and the transmission characteristics of the virus.
The disease is not transmitted through the air. Contagion occurs through direct contact with blood, secretions, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected individuals who are showing symptoms.
According to the ministry, the patient was included in the preventive protocol precisely because he presented with a fever and had recently traveled to a region with reported transmission of the disease.
Expert dismisses cause for concern.
According to experts, the swift action taken by the authorities demonstrates the capacity of the Brazilian epidemiological surveillance system to respond to events of this nature.
Infectious disease specialist Álvaro Furtado, a professor at the Hospital das Clínicas of USP (University of São Paulo), stated that there is no reason for alarm.
"Brazil and São Paulo have an extremely well-equipped network, both for hospitalization and evaluation, and also for molecular biology, which is the test we will use to obtain a differential diagnosis and reassure the population."
The statement reinforces the authorities' understanding that the protocols adopted worked adequately to quickly identify and investigate the case.
How does Ebola transmission occur?
Ebola is a serious viral disease that can cause high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
According to information from the State Health Department, "The greatest risk is associated with direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people, especially in the more advanced stages of the disease."
Transmission occurs exclusively through direct contact with blood, secretions, and other bodily fluids of symptomatic patients. Infected individuals do not transmit the virus before symptoms appear.
Because of this epidemiological profile, measures such as isolation and contact tracing are considered essential to prevent the spread of the disease.
Monitoring remains enhanced.
Last week, the Disease Control Coordination Office (CCD) updated the guidelines for health services regarding the current Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain.
The document reinforces the need for immediate notification of suspected cases and highlights the importance of preventive isolation until the tests are completed.
In São Paulo, all suspected cases must be immediately reported to the municipal epidemiological surveillance and the Center for Epidemiological Surveillance (CVE).
Brazil has faced similar situations in the past. In 2014, when Ebola was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, suspected cases were investigated in the country, including in São Paulo. However, there has never been a record of autochthonous transmission of the disease in South America.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has resulted in 134 confirmed cases and 18 confirmed deaths, giving a case fatality rate of approximately 13%. Additionally, 906 cases and 223 deaths remain under investigation.
About two weeks ago, the WHO officially declared an outbreak of the disease in the two African countries.
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