Description of the situation
As of 13 March, the Ministry of Health of Brazil and the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (PAHO) have reported a total of 48 suspected cases. Minas Gerais State which has the largest number of cases (see previous report), is now reported to have 20 laboratory confirmed (IgM ELISA) cases including 9 deaths. Thirteen cases are under investigation, while 15 cases have been excluded. The counties affected in Minas Gerais are Bom Despacho, Conceiçao do Pará, Leandro Ferreira, Luz, Martinho Campos, Nova Serrana, Santo Antônio do Monte and Sao Gotardo.