Dengue epidemic declared in Taubaté; Minas Gerais cases rise; Samu dismantling debate in Mato Grosso

Taubaté declared a dengue epidemic, issuing a state of emergency and an epidemiological alert to expand actions against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. The measures are intended to intensify mosquito control and surveillance in the municipality.

Minas Gerais reported 17,878 confirmed dengue cases in 2026 as of a health bulletin, with 48,503 probable cases and 12 confirmed deaths, plus 28 cases under investigation. The bulletin indicates the disease continues to spread in the state, even as the year moves forward and the situation remains under monitoring.

In Mato Grosso, former Health Minister Humberto Costa criticized the governor’s move to dismantle the Samu (Mobile Urgency Service), arguing the plan undermines a service Costa helped create. He noted that the state was coordinating with the Military Fire Brigade as part of ongoing emergency arrangements, highlighting concerns about reducing access to urgent care.