The Rio Grande do Norte State Health Department (Sesap) confirmed on Thursday (12) that two initial cases of mpox, a viral disease characterized by fever and skin lesions, have been recorded in the state. These cases were identified in patients from Natal and São Gonçalo do Amarante, and reports indicate that neither individual required hospitalization following their diagnoses. The infections were documented between mid-February and early March 2026.

Mpox is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected lesions or contaminated objects, stressing the importance of precautionary measures in public health. In Brazil, health authorities including the Ministry of Health have been monitoring the disease since 2022, a response prompted by a surge of over 10,000 reported cases in that year alone. The Ministry reported a decline in cases in the last year, with 1,094 cases documented across the country, reflecting a potential stabilization or reduction in the outbreak's intensity.

In conjunction with these confirmed cases, Sesap is also investigating an additional suspected case in São Gonçalo do Amarante, although details regarding the health status of this patient have not been disclosed. This heightened awareness and monitoring by health authorities illustrate ongoing public health efforts to manage and control the mpox situation in Brazil as it continues to evolve.