They identified the cause of the diarrhea outbreak in Florianópolis that has already affected more than 3,000 people

The Secretary of State for Health (SES) of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, reported that the preliminary analyzes around the outbreak of diarrhea that has been affecting tourists and residents of Florianópolis and other spas in the area indicated that they found “norovirus in 9 samples and presence of rotavirus in 3 samples”.

In addition to Florianópolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, seven other cities reported cases of the epidemic, according to the State Council for Epidemiological Surveillance (Dive-SC): Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, Navegantes, Penha, Balneário Piçarras, Porto Belo and Itapema.

The outbreak began to affect the area last January 2 and until last Friday more than 3,200 casesaccording to official sources quoted by the local press.

In a statement, the SES reported that it had received “since the beginning of the year, only 52 patient samples, which are already being analyzed at LACEN (Central Health Laboratory). Of this total, 18 were referred for viral diagnosis and 34 for bacterial diagnosis. The shipment of samples for viral or bacterial diagnosis is defined at the time of collection, based on the symptoms and exposure of the patient. Until January 20, 12 stool samples for viral diagnosis gave positive result, finding presence of norovirus in 9 samples and presence of rotavirus in 3 samples”.

The superintendent of health surveillance, infectologist Fabio Gaudenzi, explained that, “based on this perception, the technical team of the Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate (DIVE/SC), through data collected and entered into the SIVEP-DDA system by the sentinel units, which are health units spread over throughout the state that monitor diseases transmitted by water and food (DTHA), it was found that, although throughout 2022 the cases of ADD (acute diarrheal disease) remained above the upper limit, as of the first week of the year 2023 there was a Significant increase in registrations.

“We saw that the values ​​reached at the beginning of the year were very close to those registered in 2016, when we had a large outbreak related to norovirus also on the coast of Santa Catarina. In the second week of January, this number increased even more and we surpassed the data of 2016″, the official stressed. The outbreak is affecting one of the tourist areas of Brazil most chosen by Argentines who spend their holidays in that country.

Authorities continue to monitor the area 27 coastal municipalities and more than 100 beaches and resorts from South to North, including the cities of: Araranguá, Balneário Arroio do Silva, Balneário Gaivota, Balneário Camboriú, Balneário Barra do Sul, Balneário Rincão, Barra Velha, Biguaçu, Bombinhas, Florianópolis, Garopaba, Governador Celso Ramos, Imbituba, Itajaí, Itapema, Itapoá, Jaguaruna, Joinville, Laguna, Navegantes, Palhoça, Passo de Torres, Penha, Balneário Piçarras, Porto Belo, São Francisco do Sul and São José.

With these preliminary results, hypotheses about the origin of the outbreak can be put forward, but the state and municipal health surveillance teams continue with the epidemiological, environmental, and laboratory investigation to establish the causal relationship, define which are the causal agents involved and which are the main routes of transmission.

The Secretary of State for Health also agreed with the coastal municipalities that have a large tourist flow (Barra Velha, Balneário Piçarras, Penha, Navegantes, Porto Belo, Balneário Camboriú, Itapema, Bombinhas, Governador Celso Ramos and Florianópolis) to carry out an environmental collection of water (sea and river) at previously established points. In this way, through the analysis of the water, it will be possible to establish or not a connection between the water and the increase in cases. The samples will also be sent to LACEN/SC for analysis.

With these preliminary results hypotheses can be posited about the origin of the outbreak, but the state and municipal health surveillance teams continue with epidemiological investigation, environmental and laboratory to establish the causal relationship, define which are the causal agents involved and which are the main routes of transmission,” said the SES.

He also said that “it agreed with the coastal municipalities that have a large tourist flow (Barra Velha, Balneário Piçarras, Penha, Navegantes, Porto Belo, Balneário Camboriú, Itapema, Bombinhas, Governador Celso Ramos and Florianópolis) to carry out an environmental collection of water ( sea ​​and river) at previously established points. In this way, through the analysis of the water, it will be possible to establish or not a connection between water and the increase in cases. The samples will also be sent to LACEN/SC for analysis”, he closed.

Norovirus infection can cause sudden severe vomiting and diarrheaas explained on its website by the prestigious Mayo Clinic from United States. “Norovirus is highly contagious. It is commonly spread through food or water that becomes contaminated during preparation or through contaminated surfaces. Norovirus can also be spread through close contact with a person who has this infection.”

According to the specialists at that health center, “diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting usually begin between 12 and 48 hours after exposure. Symptoms of norovirus infection usually last for 1 to 3 days. Most people recover completely without treatment. However, for some people, especially young children, older adults, and people with other medical conditions, vomiting and diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and require medical attention.”

According to Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), a Brazilian medical institution, 30% of infected people transmit the disease even asymptomatic. In addition, patients who recover continue to shed the transmitting agent for up to three weeks.

Regarding rotavirus, he reported that it is “a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea. Before a vaccine was created, most children had at least one rotavirus infection before they were 5 years old.

“While rotavirus infections are not pleasant, they can usually be treated at home by increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration. In some cases, severe dehydration requires administration of fluids through a vein (intravenously) in the hospital,” he pointed out.

Good hygiene, like Washing your hands regularly is important. However, vaccination is the best way to prevent rotavirus infections.

Some behaviors that can cause illness are the consumption of contaminated water, ice, or food of unknown origin; the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, fish and/or shellfish; food without the necessary conservation; bathing in inadequate or polluted beach waters; direct contact with a sick person; and poor hygiene, such as frequent hand washing.

In general, cases are mild and can last up to 14 days. However, in children and the elderly severe dehydration can occur. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the symptoms. If the affected person does not improve or develops complications, medical attention should be sought immediately.

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