Health authorities in Paraná confirmed two hantavirus cases this year on Friday, both unrelated to the outbreak under investigation on a cruise ship monitored by the WHO.
The patients are a 34-year-old man from Pérola d’Oeste, whose diagnosis was confirmed in April, and a 28-year-old woman from Ponta Grossa, whose case was confirmed in February. Another 11 suspected cases remain under investigation in the state, while 21 have been ruled out.
The Ministry of Health and the State Health Secretariat (Sesa) stated that the Paraná cases involve the wild strain of the virus, transmitted by rodents, and not the Andes strain identified on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The latter variant, linked to rare human-to-human transmissions in Argentina and Chile, does not circulate in Brazil.
State Health Secretary César Neves said the situation is under control and there is no reason for panic. The ministry added that the global risk of spread remains low and that Brazil has recorded seven hantavirus cases in 2026 so far.
