"Suspected mpox case at Brazilian airport likely just chickenpox"

A suspected mpox case at a Brazilian airport has been reclassified as likely chickenpox, according to hospital reports. This clarification eases concerns about a possible mpox outbreak at the airport, with the patient now under treatment for the milder condition. Health officials remain cautious but are relieved that the initial alarm was likely unwarranted.

A suspected case of mpox at Brazil's main international airport is likely chickenpox, according to a statement from a São Paulo hospital on Monday, as health officials stay vigilant against a new mpox variant causing global concern.

The state-owned Emilio Ribas Infectious Disease Hospital indicated that chickenpox is the leading hypothesis for the case, with lab tests expected to confirm the diagnosis soon.

Earlier, Brazil's health and sanitation regulator, Anvisa, reported that a passenger in a designated area of São Paulo airport for those seeking refugee status exhibited "signs and symptoms compatible with mpox."

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to the rapid spread of a new virus variant in Africa.

Brazil's health ministry reported over 700 confirmed or probable mpox cases this year, none of which involved the new variant. Neither Anvisa nor Emilio Ribas provided specifics on whether the suspected case might be related to the new variant.

While the passenger's travel history and nationality were not disclosed, Emilio Ribas confirmed that the individual had not traveled from mpox-endemic regions.

According to a public defender's office spokesperson, over 650 migrants without visas, particularly from India, Nepal, and Vietnam, were waiting to enter Brazil through Guarulhos airport as of Friday. The office raised concerns about the violation of migrants' human rights and their deteriorating health conditions.

Last week, Brazil announced stricter entry rules to curb the influx of foreigners using Brazil as a transit point to reach the United States and Canada.

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Source: Reuters‍