Oropouche Virus Outbreak in Brazil: CDC Travel Advisory and Prevention Tips

2024-02-09 18:48:00

A few days after the publication by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) of an epidemiological alert reporting an increase in the number of cases of feverOropouche detected in parts of South America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory to the states ofAmazonas and D’Acrein Brazil.
Image/CDC

On January 6, the Amazonas State Health Surveillance Foundation issued an epidemiological alert regarding the detection of cases of Oropouche virus disease (OROV) in the state.

The alert indicates that between December 2023 and January 4, 2024, the Amazonas Central Public Health Laboratory analyzed 675 samples, confirming OROV virus infection by molecular detection (PCR) in 199 cases (29.5 %).

Between 2023 and 2024, in the state of Amazonas, 1,066 human cases with detectable RT-qPCR results for Oropouche virus were recorded.

Additionally, cases of Oropouche reported in the neighboring states of Acre and Roraima are under investigation.

The CDC recommends that travelers to these Brazilian states take steps to avoid insect bites (Oropouche fever is spread through the bite of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes).

Travelers should seek medical attention if they experience high fever, headache, muscle pain, joint stiffness, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light during or after travel.

Reminders on the virus Oropouche :

The virus Oropouche is a virus of the arbovirus class, of the family Bunyaviridae (Simbu serogroup), transmitted by mosquitoes (Culicoides paraensis) of the family of Ceratopogonidae, present in places of stagnant water. There is a wild cycle that involves hosts like primates and lazyand an urban cycle where man remains the main host.

The disease produces symptoms similar to those of dengue, which complicates its diagnosis. After an incubation of 4-8 days, the symptoms are: fever, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, chills, sometimes with nausea, vomiting and skin signs. Symptoms last 5 to 7 days, however, full recovery may take up to several weeks in some patients. Rare cases of meningoencephalitis have been reported.

Outbreaks of Oropouche virus fever have been described in rural and urban communities in Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Individual protection measures rely on the prevention of midge bites using mechanical barriers (mosquito nets), insect repellent devices, insect-treated clothing and mosquito repellents. Chemical insecticides such as deltamethrin and N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) have been shown to be effective in controlling species Culicoides et Culex.

Source : Outbreak News Today

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