Health authorities in Brazil are closely monitoring two patients for possible Ebola infection in the country's two largest cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Officials announced on Sunday that both individuals recently arrived from regions linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa and are currently undergoing testing. Authorities said they expect the test results to be available next week.

Suspected Cases Under Investigation

The government of São Paulo state reported that a 37-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo showed symptoms including fever, raising concerns about a possible Ebola infection.

At the same time, health officials in Rio de Janeiro activated emergency health protocols after a Belgian man who had travelled from Uganda developed symptoms associated with viral illnesses, including cough, chills and diarrhoea.

Both patients remain under observation while health authorities conduct further testing.

Potential First Ebola Cases Outside Africa

If either patient tests positive for Ebola, it would mark the first confirmed case reported outside Africa since the current outbreak began.

The outbreak has hit the Democratic Republic of the Congo particularly hard. Health officials have recorded around 1,000 suspected cases and at least 246 deaths in the country.

Uganda has also reported infections linked to the outbreak. According to available figures, the country has confirmed nine Ebola cases and one death.

Rare Virus Strain Raises Concerns

Health experts are particularly concerned because the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. This strain is relatively rare and currently has no proven vaccine. Medical experts estimate that it kills roughly one-third of infected patients, making it a serious public health threat.

Although the two patients in Brazil are being investigated for Ebola, doctors have already identified other illnesses in both cases. The patient in São Paulo tested positive for meningitis and remains in serious condition. Meanwhile, the Belgian traveller in Rio de Janeiro tested positive for malaria.

However, health authorities stressed that these diagnoses do not completely rule out the possibility of a simultaneous Ebola infection.

How Ebola Spreads

Ebola is a severe viral disease that usually originates in animals, particularly fruit bats. Human outbreaks can begin when people handle or consume infected animals.

Once the virus infects humans, it spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person. These fluids include blood, saliva, sweat, semen, urine, vomit and excrement.

Because of its high fatality rate and ability to spread through close contact, health authorities around the world closely monitor any suspected Ebola case, especially when international travel is involved.

Authorities Await Test Results

Brazilian health officials have implemented safety measures and are monitoring both patients while laboratory testing continues. For now, neither case has been confirmed as Ebola, but authorities remain alert due to the severity of the outbreak currently affecting parts of Africa.

The final test results, expected next week, will determine whether Brazil is facing its first Ebola cases linked to the ongoing African outbreak.