Remote Yanomami Tribe Records First Case Of Coronavirus

A 15-year-old boy from the Yanomami tribe was taken to hospital complaining of shortness of breath, a fever, sore throat and chest pain. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he remains.

Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said at a press conference the case was 'worrying' due to the remote nature of the tribe's community.

The Yanomami tribe is thought to be the largest tribe of indigenous people in Brazil, occupying more than 200 villages across 2.3million acres along the Venezuelan/Brazilian border.

According to local media seven indigenous tribes-people have contracted the potentially deadly coronavirus, prompting many remote communities to close off their villages.

An expert has warned that indigenous communities are in danger of being completely 'wiped out' by the coronavirus.

"Everyone gets sick, and you lose all the old people, their wisdom and social organisation. It's chaos."

Marivelton Baré, president of the Federation of Indigenous Organisations of Rio Negro, told the news outlet many of the communities are 'in a panic' over the ongoing outbreak.

He said: "We'll need to take the food to the villages so that they don't expose themselves during this critical moment."

Dr Mendonça says some of these communities are now planning to split into smaller groups and head out into the forest until the outbreak is over.

"They will gather materials needed for hunting and fishing and will set up camps, waiting there until the dust settles," she said.

Tribes-people are also being advised to stop sharing utensils and to implement traditional seclusion practices for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus.