The Oropouche virus disease is on the rise and spreading beyond its usual limits. Now two young women have died from the virus and a third death is under investigation.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert on August 16 warning travelers to areas where the Oropouche virus has been confirmed to protect themselves from mosquitoes and mosquitoes.
Here you can find out what you need to know about the virus and how you can protect yourself.
What is the Oropouche virus?
The Oropouche virus, named after the village in Trinidad where it was first discovered in 1955, is a virus that causes symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pain and rash. Less common symptoms include extreme sensitivity to light, dizziness and eye pain.
The virus lives in animals such as monkeys, birds, rodents and sloths and is often transmitted to humans by infected midges (small flies) or mosquitoes. Outbreaks of the Oropouche virus occur mainly in tropical regions of South America, Central America and the Caribbean, with the most common cases reported in the Amazon region of Brazil and Peru.
There is currently no vaccine or drug against the virus.
What happens now?
The Oropouche virus is also occurring outside its usual distribution area in the Amazon basin. The Pan American Health Organization has issued an epidemiological alert and called for increased prevention, surveillance and diagnosis of the virus.
In 2024, Brazil saw a huge increase in cases, and Bolivia and Cuba reported infections for the first time. In addition, travelers infected with the virus were identified in Germany, Italy and Spain, although there was no local transmission in Europe.
Cases have also been reported from the USA, with eleven travel-related cases this year.
This spread may be due to climate change, which is causing mosquitoes to lose their habitat and therefore these insects to bite people more frequently.
Has anyone died from this virus?
The Oropouche virus is not usually fatal, and there have been no deaths related to the virus since it was first discovered—until 2024, when two otherwise healthy young women in Brazil reportedly died from the disease. A third death is currently under investigation.
The Oropouche virus shares similarities with other mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue, which can make it difficult to differentiate and treat effectively. It is possible that there have been more deaths associated with the Oropouche virus in the past that have been incorrectly attributed to dengue.
How can we protect ourselves?
Recent data have shown that oropouche has the potential to cause stillbirth and birth defects. On August 16, the CDC recommended that pregnant women avoid non-essential travel to areas with oropouche virus outbreaks. These include countries in South America and the Caribbean with high infection rates, such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba.
If travel is unavoidable, pregnant women should take precautions to avoid insect bites, such as applying insect repellent, talk to their doctor about the risks, and monitor themselves for any symptoms.
The CDC recommends preventing insect-borne illnesses by using Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and monitoring your household to prevent insects from entering the home. When spending time outdoors, avoid standing water and clutter (where insects like to hang out). You can also cover children in strollers with netting to prevent contact.
