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Alert Issued for Oropouche Virus Disease
Context:
Recently more than 20 people returning to the U.S. from Cuba have been diagnosed with Oropouche virus disease prompting federal health officials to issue a warning.
More on News:
While none of the cases has resulted in death and there is no evidence of the virus spreading within the U.S., health officials are urging doctors to be vigilant for symptoms in travellers from Cuba and South America.
Key Highlights:
- The virus has caused significant outbreaks in its known areas, including the Amazon region and new locations in South America and the Caribbean.
- Approximately 8,000 cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru.
- In the U.S., 21 cases have been confirmed—20 in Florida and one in New York—among travellers who had been to Cuba.
What is the Oropouche Virus?
- It is a tropical virus first identified in 1955 in Trinidad. It is named after a nearby village and wetlands.
- It has been referred to as “sloth fever” because it was initially found in three-toed sloths, which were believed to be important in its transmission between insects and animals.
- Transmission: The virus is transmitted primarily by small biting flies called midges, and also by some mosquitoes.
- Infections occur in forested tropical areas, and humans can help spread the virus to towns and cities. However, person-to-person transmission has not been documented.
- Symptoms can resemble other tropical diseases like dengue, Zika, or malaria. Common symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and rash.
- Severe cases may involve bleeding, meningitis, and encephalitis can occur in about 1 in 20 cases. It is rarely fatal, though there have been recent reports of deaths in Brazil.
- Treatment and Prevention: There are currently no vaccines available to prevent Oropouche virus infections.
Impact on Pregnant Women and Newborns
- There is emerging evidence of mother-to-child transmission and possible links to severe outcomes such as microcephaly and foetal death. However, conclusive evidence establishing a direct causal relationship is still lacking.
- Microcephaly is a neurological condition characterised by an infant’s head being significantly smaller than the average size for their age and sex.
- This condition is often associated with developmental issues.
