Frightened of the risk of contracting the disease, many people are canceling reservations for bars and restaurants.
SOROCABA – Owners of bars and restaurants a Joachim Egidiothe district of Campinas which is at the heart of the epidemic Rocky Mountain spotted fever which has already resulted in three confirmed and one suspected deaths this month, fear as they call it “mint effect”. frightened by risk of contracting the disease, many people are canceling reservations. The district, with only 2,200 inhabitants, is sought after by tourists for its natural beauty and above all for its gastronomy. There are more than 15 restaurants that combine a varied menu with music and culture.
Owner of the Armazém da Estação restaurant, businessman Luiz Felipe Bulgarelli does not hide his concern. “When there was a yellow fever outbreak in the district, we were hit a lot, the restaurants were empty for a long time. The fear is that it will happen again,” he said.
The restaurant is only open on weekends and does not accept reservations. “We’ll hear it again, but I’m on the back foot,” she said. Bulgarelli is concerned because he has a wooded space on the site. “People end up getting confused, they think every bush has a tick.”
The owner of the Estação Marupiara restaurant, Marcel Moraes, said he has a gastronomic and cultural event planned for this Thursday evening, the 15th, and that reservations are still being held. “It’s a late-night movie dinner, where we show a movie and accompanied by themed dishes. We were concerned, but so far there have been no cancellations,” he said. He believes there could be damage as early as this weekend. “People often don’t know that 90% of the establishments are in urban areas. In 17 years I have never seen a capybara around here.”
A restaurant owner who spoke on condition not to be named said she was losing customers over fear of the mint. “I canceled a big reservation and people said to be scared, but the tick won’t fly in and stick to the person. It’s all clean and organized and fumigated here. The customer doesn’t need to go into the woods.” According to her, the great backlash caused by the deaths has generated a climate of panic. “Even the famous people in the family don’t want to come to the district.”
The president of the Association of Directors of Gastronomic Establishments of Sousas and Joaquim Egídio (Cantines), Jaime Marcelino Pissolato, predicts a decline in tourism and restaurant employment. “We are working with the Department of Culture and Tourism to reduce the impact. Most of the restaurants are in urban areas, where capybaras don’t come, but many people don’t understand this. It’s worrying, unfortunately there will be some impact , but we will do whatever it takes to reverse this situation,” he said.
According to him, there are already signs in the district informing about the risk of yellow fever in some areas. “This signaling will be strengthened and we will also distribute a handbook on disease prevention measures. People will be advised not to enter risk areas.”
According to the manager, who also owns a restaurant, the main events are taking place, including the Spring Gastronomic Festival, which is expected to take place in October. The Winter Festival, which should have been held this month, has been cancelled, but for other reasons.
Bordering the district of Sousas, Joaquim Egídio is located 15 km from the center of Campinas and has already been mapped as a spotted fever risk area. The neighborhood is home to the Fazenda Santa Margarida, where five people may have been contaminated with the disease-causing bacterium, including the three deaths with confirmed cause. Quiet, the place became a hotspot for tourists for its natural beauty and gastronomy. On weekends, visitors to the capital, other interior cities and the municipality itself queue up at local bars and restaurants, a movement that is now under threat.
This Wednesday 14, the mayor of Campinas, Dario Saadi (Republicans) held an emergency meeting with top government officials and representatives of health institutions, in which tourism was discussed. It has been established that all events in risk areas will be preceded by information on Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a measure that also applies to Joaquim Egídio’s restaurants. “We will invest in information and training of health professionals, but we cannot close the city,” said the mayor.
The Secretary of State for Health warned this Wednesday for people who were at the Fazenda Santa Margarida, in the period from May 27 to June 11, and have fever and body aches, headache or reddish spots on the body , contact immediately to a doctor and tell the doctor that you have been in the area. Of the 12 confirmed cases of the disease this year in the state, three were people who attended events held there.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
