Espírito Santo confirms 9 cases of fungal infection in hospital.

The Health Department of Espírito Santo confirmed on Wednesday, the 4th, that at least nine cases of the acute respiratory syndrome outbreak at the Santa Rita de Cássia Hospital in Vitória have been identified as histoplasmosis, an infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum — commonly found in the feces of bats and birds.

The disease can present symptoms such as fever, body aches , and shortness of breath , similar to pneumonia. The fungus also affects the sense of smell and taste, in addition to causing headaches, a type of more acute headache.

Currently, seven operating rooms at the hospital, which specializes in cancer treatment, have suspended medical activities.

The positive results came from eight hospital employees and one patient's companion. One of the cases is in a more critical condition, so they are hospitalized in the ICU. The department also announced the discharge of three other patients.

According to the latest bulletin released, 104 patients are suspected of having the disease. Last week, there were 88 cases, meaning an increase of almost 20% in the infection rate.

Currently, there are 93 suspected cases under monitoring: 76 hospital employees, 11 caregivers, and six patients.

The presence of antibodies was confirmed after tests carried out by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), which is investigating the causes of the contamination in conjunction with the Central Public Health Laboratory of the State of Espírito Santo.

The main hypotheses, before the test results, were contamination by fungus or bacteria. “The fungus fit the description in this investigation. Regarding the bacteria, it usually causes more severe cases than what has been seen so far. Furthermore, it was not found in any tests on patients,” stated the Secretary of Health, Tyago Hoffmann, in a video released this Tuesday on his social media, refuting a fake news report that the state had 30 serious cases.