Florianópolis, one of the most chosen tourist resorts in the State of Santa Catarina (Brazil), has already counted more than 1,250 people with diarrhea, so the local Municipal Health Secretariat confirmed that the city is going through an epidemic outbreak at the beginning of this summer 2023 and they still do not know the cause that causes it.
Of the total cases detected, 914 were identified in the Prompt Attention Unit (UPA) of the northern zone, in Canasvieiras, while 337 were registered in the South UPA, according to the newspaper G1, the state version of Globo.
Regarding the outbreak, which affects residents and tourists, it was reported that "the causes are being investigated, and that one of the hypotheses is that the cases may be related to places not suitable for bathing on some beaches, especially in the north of the island".
The report from the Santa Catarina Environment Institute (IMA) noted that beaches such as Canasvieiras and Ingleses have the majority of areas not suitable for bathing.
On the other hand, it was reported that the Epidemiological Surveillance Board is monitoring the cases in the municipalities, and that last Friday a meeting was held with the health operators of Florianópolis and Itajaí, on the northern coast. At that meeting it was decided that samples would be collected and sent to the Central Public Health Laboratory of Santa Catarina (Lacen) to identify the causal agent of the epidemic.
According to the Vigilance Board authorities, acute diarrheal diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. Some factors that contribute to a person contracting the condition are: the ingestion of contaminated water, ice or foods of unknown origin in addition to the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, fish and/or shellfish. It can also occur with the consumption of poorly preserved food, bathing in contaminated water, direct contact with a sick person and lack of hygienic habits.
Due to this type of symptoms, the Brazilian authorities recommended washing hands, drinking water approved for consumption, avoiding foods that contain raw eggs, checking the expiration date of processed food products, not taking animals to the beach, not bathing in unsuitable beaches and avoid swallowing sea water.
