The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about the rise in Oropouche virus disease cases in the Americas, with cases also reported in Europe. Travellers who have been to Cuba or Brazil have been found to have contracted the disease, with 19 cases reported in European countries so far, including in Spain, Italy, and Germany. The virus, also known as “sloth fever,” was first identified in a forest worker in Trinidad in 1955 and is native to forested tropical areas in South America and the Caribbean.
Oropouche virus causes symptoms similar to dengue, Zika, and malaria, including fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and vomiting. Some patients may also experience more severe symptoms such as bleeding, meningitis, and encephalitis, though fatalities are rare. There are no vaccines available to prevent infection and no specific treatments for the disease. Pregnant women are advised to avoid travel to areas where the virus is present, as there have been reports of infections being passed on from mother to fetus.
The virus is spread to humans by small biting flies called midges, as well as certain types of mosquitoes. People become infected while visiting forested areas and may inadvertently bring the virus to more populated areas. There have been no documented cases of person-to-person transmission of Oropouche virus, but precautions should be taken to prevent bug bites, such as using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing. Travellers are urged to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of the disease and seek medical attention if they experience any.
In Brazil, there have been reports of the virus potentially being passed from pregnant women to their fetuses, reminiscent of the Zika outbreaks seen in recent years. In addition to the cases in Europe, there have been over 8,000 identified cases of Oropouche virus in the Americas, particularly in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. In the US, 21 people who had visited Cuba were found to have been infected with the virus – 20 in Florida and one in New York. While rare, severe cases of the disease have been reported, underscoring the importance of preventive measures for travellers to regions where the virus is present.
