Brazil recorded its first death from the "Embox" virus in 2026, following a rise in infections in several states, notably São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, according to the "Fiocruz" Institute of Public Health affiliated with the Ministry of Health.
The institute reported that the country has recorded 1,009 confirmed cases of the virus since the beginning of the year, noting that the death occurred in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which saw between September and November double the number of cases recorded during the rest of the year.
As part of enhancing response measures, the government has intensified surveillance and monitoring efforts and purchased an additional 25,000 doses of the "Embox" vaccine, while authorities confirmed that the current increase in cases does not amount to an outbreak and that the numbers remain much lower than the historic peak recorded in 2022.
The "Embox" virus belongs to the poxvirus family and causes fever, muscle pain, and the appearance of skin rashes. It can be transmitted from animals to humans, as well as between people through close physical contact.
The World Health Organization declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern during 2022 and 2024, amid its spread in several countries.
The majority of recorded cases in Brazil this year are concentrated in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, within a country that has a population of about 214 million people.