Brazilian health officials announced Sunday they are investigating two potential Ebola cases after patients who recently returned from Africa developed concerning symptoms.
According to local health authorities, one patient in Sao Paulo state has tested positive for meningitis, while a second suspected case has emerged in Rio de Janeiro state where the patient tested positive for malaria. Officials emphasized that finding these other diseases doesn’t eliminate the possibility that either patient could also have Ebola, and both cases remain under active investigation.
The Sao Paulo patient is a man from the Democratic Republic of Congo who developed a fever following a recent trip to that African nation. The Rio de Janeiro patient had recently returned from Uganda. Health officials noted that both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are currently dealing with Ebola outbreaks.
Brazil’s Health Ministry released additional information about the Sao Paulo case, revealing that the patient has been placed on a ventilator and is in serious condition.
