The Government of Minas Gerais has declared an epidemiological alert following a notable rise in chikungunya cases in several cities within the Triângulo Mineiro area. Daily monitoring by the State Epidemiological Surveillance indicates a consistent increase in cases since early February, with the highest concentrations reported in the municipalities of Uberlândia, Araguari, and Ituiutaba.

As of the morning of this past Monday (9), the state has recorded 1,006 probable cases of chikungunya, with 679 laboratory confirmations, leading to a concerning statistic that approximately 73% of these cases are concentrated in the Triângulo macro-region. Fortunately, there have been no recorded deaths from the disease in the state this year, which may indicate the effectiveness of the health response measures in mitigating severe outcomes.

The epidemiological panel for arboviruses in the state highlights the alarming statistics in Uberlândia and Ituiutaba, especially when compared to Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, which has reported only 11 probable cases and one confirmed case. This disparity raises concerns about the public health situation in the affected municipalities and underscores the need for increased public awareness and prevention measures to control the spread of chikungunya.