SC Diarrhea Outbreak: Cases Spread Statewide – [City] Affected Most

Santa Catarina surpassed 40 thousand cases of acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) in 2026, according to the Ministry of Health panel with data updated until February 4th. In the State, Itajaí is the city with the highest number of caseswith 4,155 records during the period.

According to the panel, only five of the 295 cities in Santa Catarina have not yet registered cases of the disease this year: Urubici, São Bernadino, Pedras Grandes, Marema and Bom Jesus. In other words, 98.3% of the State’s municipalities had DDA records between January 1st and February 4th.

Itajaí leads the cases, with 4,155 diagnoses. The city is followed by Florianópoliswhich accumulates 2,700 cases of ADD in 2026. Following are: Chapecó (2,351), Balneário Camboriú (2,141) and Brusque (1,994).

The report from the NSC Total He contacted the city hall of Itajaí to find out what measures are being taken in the city to prevent cases of ADD, but received no response until the publication of this report. The space remains open.

In Brazil, the South region is the third in Brazil with the most registered cases of ADD in 2026, representing 15.96% of total diagnoses. In the region, Santa Catarina has the highest number of cases, followed by Paraná (25 thousand) and Rio Grande do Sul (17 thousand).

1. Itajaí – 4,155 cases
2. Florianópolis – 2,700 cases
3. Chapecó – 2,351 cases
4. Balneário Camboriú – 2,141 cases
5. Brusque – 1,994 cases
6. Firecrackers – 1,723 cases
7. São José – 1,388 cases
8. Blumenau – 1,328 cases
9. Navegantes – 1,215 cases
10. Itapema – 864 cases

Acute diarrheal disease

ADD is characterized, in general, by changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tractwhich may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. In specific situations, signs indicating greater severity may occur, requiring appropriate attention and monitoring.

The etiological agents involved are diverse, including viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus and adenovirus; bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (enteropathogenic), Salmonella, Shigella and parasites, such as Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Giardia, among others.

In December 2025, the State Department of Health (SES/SC) issued an alert for the disease during the summer, historically considered the period with the highest incidence of outbreaks. According to the secretariat, the growth in cases is related to a combination of environmental, behavioral and population factors characteristic of the season.

The significant increase in tourist flow, greater consumption of food away from home, higher temperatures and greater exposure to water unsuitable for bathing are among the factors that influence the increase in cases, according to the SES.

Disease prevention

• Pay attention to the quality of the water ingested, which must be treated, boiled or mineral;
• Avoid eating raw seafood and undercooked meat, especially without knowing the origin;
• When taking food to the beach, take care of hygiene and maintain adequate refrigeration;
• Do not consume juices, smoothies, caipirinhas and other non-processed drinks without knowing the origin of the ingredients used;
• Do not consume foods that are past their expiration date, even if they appear normal;
• Do not consume foods that appear to have deteriorated, with altered aroma, color or flavor, even if they are within their expiration date;
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, handling and preparing food, breastfeeding and touching animals;
• Do not visit places that are unsuitable for bathing.