RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The São Paulo Health Secretariat has identified a case of the Indian B.1.617.2 variant in a resident of Rio de Janeiro, who landed at Guarulhos International Airport on Saturday, May 22.
In 5 days, the 32-year-old man has traveled around São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and his own city, Campo dos Goytacazes. When he landed, he tested negative for Covid-19. However, because he felt unwell, he went to a laboratory at the airport to have a new test performed.
With the new positive result, the man returned to the capital of Rio and is in isolation.
As soon as the test was completed, the laboratory itself notified the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) and sent a sample to confirm the virus. The test was forwarded to the Adolfo Lutz Institute, which determined that it was indeed the Indian variant.
In a note, the State Health Secretariat says that “immediately after being informed by ANVISA, the State Health Secretariat initiated, along with the municipality where the airport is located, the required epidemiological investigation measures. A complete list of the flight’s passengers was requested, as well as the names of all airport and laboratory personnel and the passenger’s contacts for isolation and monitoring.
Qatar and LATAM airlines, responsible for the traveler’s flight, were also notified to provide the list of passengers and extend the monitoring of passengers.