For many people from São Paulo, their favorite New Year’s program is to go down to the coast. This year, however, many people who celebrated New Year’s Eve by the sea were in for an unpleasant surprise: an outbreak of viruses affecting tourists and locals alike.
Cities such as Guarujá, Praia Grande and Itanhaém are suffering from cases of the disease, which causes diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Here’s everything we know about the outbreak and what you can do to protect yourself if you’re passing through the region.
SP coast suffers from viral outbreak after the New Year
On social media, hundreds of tourists report having been infected after spending New Year’s Eve on the coast. The most cited city is Guarujá, which so far has been the hardest hit: since December, the municipality has recorded more than 2,000 cases. In addition, there are reports of infected people in Ubatuba, Santos, Praia Grande and other cities in the Baixada Santista.
Local pharmacies report a huge increase in demand for medicines such as probiotics, nausea remedies and the like. Specifically in Guarujá, the opening hours of the Family Health Units will be extended until January 5th, while the UPAs and emergency rooms will be open 24 hours a day.
How can you protect yourself?
If you’ve booked a trip to the coast, it’s important to stay vigilant to reduce the chances of infection. According to the São Paulo State Department of Health, which is closely monitoring the situation in Baixada Santista, you can protect yourself by following these recommendations:
- Avoid eating food outside the home, such as on beaches;
- Avoid undercooked food;
- Always keep food refrigerated;
- Wash your hands before eating;
- Always drink filtered water.
In addition, it is important to keep an eye on the bathing water quality of the beaches. In the latest measurement by the São Paulo State Environmental Company, for example, carried out on Thursday 2nd, almost 40 beaches in São Paulo were unfit for bathing due to the high level of contamination. So always check that the beach is suitable for bathing before entering the sea.
