Campos confirms first case of mpox registered in 2026

One of the symptoms of the disease is the appearance of lesions on the skin, in addition to fever, muscle pain and headache.

According to the Department of Health, the probable exposure to the virus occurred in the city of Rio de Janeiro, while the diagnosis was carried out in Campos.

According to the Undersecretary of Health Surveillance, Rodrigo Carneiro, mpox transmission occurs through close contact, especially intimate contact, with direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.

According to the Health Agency, there is a vaccine against mpox, but its indication remains restricted, as per guidance from the State Department of Health of Rio de Janeiro (SES-RJ), for professionals who directly care for suspected or confirmed patients or handle materials from these patients, and some people living with HIV undergoing continuous medical monitoring.

The undersecretary also clarified that the municipality has a defined service flow for suspected cases. The Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (CDIP) is the reference unit for people with high suspicion or confirmation of the disease. Initially, patients must seek the public health network, where they will be evaluated by the teams and, if they have a strong suspicion of infection, referred to the specialized service.

"Patients should look for the Basic Health Unit (UBS) closest to their home, where they will undergo an assessment by the teams. Based on the screening and notification, those who present a high suspicion will be referred to the CDIP, which is our municipal reference for handling these cases", he highlighted.

According to Rodrigo Carneiro, there is still no specific medicine to combat the virus. In this way, monitoring is aimed at controlling symptoms and identifying possible complications.

"To date, there is no specific treatment against mpox. Therefore, patients undergo treatment with symptomatic medications and remain under observation, monitoring the evolution of the clinical condition and the possibility of worsening", he added.

The increase in records in the state reinforces the importance of paying attention to the signs and symptoms of the disease. According to data released by the State Department of Health of Rio de Janeiro (SES-RJ), last week, 269 cases of mpox were confirmed between January and November 3, 2026, with no deaths recorded. In the same period of 2025, 92 cases had been recorded, which represents an increase of approximately 192%.