In the early part of the year, Juiz de Fora has seen a concerning rise in cases of hepatitis A, with a total of 65 individuals diagnosed in 2026. The local government has issued warnings emphasizing the importance of basic hygiene practices and food safety to mitigate the risk of further infections. Most of the reported cases have occurred in men aged between 30 and 39, but health officials maintain that the city is not experiencing an outbreak of the disease.

The municipality's health department suspects that the transmission of hepatitis A in Juiz de Fora is largely due to the consumption of inadequately washed raw foods, rather than contaminated public water supplies. Other risk factors include contact with sewage and travel history to areas with poor sanitation infrastructure. As the situation evolves, public health measures are encouraged to educate the population about preventive steps.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route, often linked to poor hygiene and sanitation conditions or via sexual transmission. Symptoms can appear between 15 and 50 days after exposure, highlighting the need for awareness and proactive health measures in the community. This rise in cases underscores the ongoing challenges faced by local public health officials in managing and preventing infectious diseases.