Epidemic Hazard - South-America - Brazil

Physicians are investigating the cause of the disease, which caused the death of a youth in Mirassolandia, 480 km from Sao Paulo City. Parents of the victim and more than 20 people from the same neighborhood sought medical attention with similar symptoms. The 16-year-old girl died after receiving medical attention at the city health post. The youth had 3 days of fever, headache, body ache, and vomiting. On Sunday [31 Jan 2010] she was very ill and did not withstand her transfer to the base hospital in Rio Preto. The mother of the girl, her father, and a sister of 11 years also were admitted to the hospital with the same symptoms. In Mirassolandia, more than 20 people received first aid. All were from the same neighborhood in which the dead youth resided. They presented with fever, body ache, headache, and vomiting. The health coordinator of Mirassolandia, who was not in the city, reported by telephone that the results of the investigation, which will reveal the cause of death of the youth, are awaited.