Mpox Brazil: 48 Cases Confirmed in 2026 – Symptoms & Prevention
Brazil has confirmed 48 cases of mpox in 2026, according to updated data from the Ministry of Health. The majority of these cases, 41, are concentrated in São Paulo, followed by Rio de Janeiro (3), Distrito Federal (1), Rondônia (1), Santa Catarina (1), and Rio Grande do Sul (1). Currently, there have been no reported deaths related to mpox in Brazil.
Understanding the Current Situation
The Ministry of Health reports that most cases are mild or moderate. Throughout 2025, the country recorded 1,079 cases and two deaths. The Ministry of Health states that the country maintains active surveillance and that the SUS (Unified Health System) is prepared for the diagnosis and clinical management of patients, with contact tracing for 14 days to interrupt chains of transmission.
Individuals experiencing skin lesions, fever, and swollen lymph nodes are advised to seek medical attention and, if possible, practise social isolation until evaluated. In São Paulo, the state with the highest number of cases, the Nies (Strategic Health Information centre) public consultation panel indicates 44 confirmed cases this year – three more than the total reported by the federal government. The Nies panel has registered 185 notifications in 2026, with 71 still under suspicion, 57 discarded, and one classified as probable.
The State Health Department of São Paulo affirms, in a statement, that it “continuously monitors the epidemiological scenario of mpox in the state and maintains permanent coordination with municipal health departments and the care network.” Health services are focused on early identification, notification, and investigation of suspected cases, with testing and clinical follow-up, as well as contact tracing and monitoring, according to technical protocols.
As of Thursday, February 19th, 2026, the Ministry of Health reported 44 cases of the disease this year, compared to 126 cases in January and February of 2025.
What is Mpox?
Mpox was previously known as “monkeypox.” According to infectologist Flávia Falci of Grupo Santa Joana, it is an infection caused by the Mpox virus, which belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus, the same as the smallpox virus. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
The illness can then progress to the eruptive phase, where skin lesions appear, starting as red spots, then developing into vesicles, becoming yellowish, and finally forming scabs. These lesions can occur on the face, genitals, perianal area, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and mucous membranes; severe cases can lead to neurological and ocular manifestations.
Mpox has existed for decades in countries in Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, it gained global attention in 2022 with the start of the global outbreak that continues today, according to infectologist Dyemison Pinheiro, master in collective health and assistant in the emergency room of the Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology.
Pinheiro explains that the virus divides into two clades, groupings of similar species with a common evolutionary ancestor: clades 1 and 2, which further divide into subclades 1a and 1b, 2a and 2b. Classically, clade 1a circulates in Central African countries, and clade 2b was first detected in Nigeria, becoming the primary cause of the global outbreak of 2022.
How is the Disease Transmitted?
Transmission primarily occurs through direct physical contact with lesions before they heal, whether sexual or not, says Pinheiro. The incubation period can vary from a few days to about three weeks. Isolation is recommended until all lesions are fully healed to prevent transmission to others. The disease can also be transmitted before symptoms appear or by asymptomatic patients, explains Falci.
Contact with bodily fluids like saliva, blood, and semen, from mother to baby, or through contaminated objects is also common; transmission via respiratory droplets is less frequent. There have also been reports of animal-to-human transmission in previous outbreaks.
The population at higher risk includes men who have sex with men, people living with HIV/Aids, immunocompromised individuals, young children, and pregnant women. Falci notes that pregnant women are at particular risk due to the potential for vertical transmission and complications for the fetus.
While studies are evaluating specific treatments for mpox, Pinheiro says they haven’t shown the expected effectiveness. Treatment currently focuses on supportive therapy, with no specific options available.
How to Prevent Mpox
Doctors state that vaccination is the best form of prevention. The vaccine is available through the SUS for individuals over 18 who live with HIV/Aids, PrEP users, and healthcare professionals with contact with the virus. However, Pinheiro notes that vaccines have been insufficient, resulting in low vaccination coverage. He observes an increase in suspected and confirmed cases, including clade 1b, which is not widely circulating in Brazil. Carnaval, with its increased physical contact, puts the country on alert.
If skin lesions are observed, along with or without symptoms like fever, body aches, and swollen glands, it’s important to avoid contact with others and consult an infectologist for evaluation. Other preventative measures, Falci indicates, include behavioral changes regarding sexual partners and, in hospital settings, the use of protective equipment by professionals, along with rigorous hygiene of the environment where the patient was treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the initial symptoms of mpox?
The initial symptoms are fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
How is mpox transmitted?
Transmission occurs primarily through direct physical contact with lesions before they heal, whether sexual or not.
Who is at higher risk of contracting mpox?
The population at higher risk includes men who have sex with men, people living with HIV/Aids, immunocompromised individuals, young children, and pregnant women.
As awareness of mpox grows and the virus continues to circulate, what steps will you take to protect your health and the health of those around you?