Oropouche virus – what you need to know

A virus in Brazil has been causing concern for health organisations around the world.
Introduction
The Oropouche virus (pronounced o-ro-push) has now been described as a ‘mysterious’ and ‘emerging’ threat in the prestigious scientific journal The Lancet (1).
In July, authorities in Brazil reported the deaths of two adults from Oropouche fever as a result of virus infection – the first since the virus was identified almost 70 years ago (2).
What is Oropouche virus?
Oropouche is an arbovirus, which means that it is spread by insect bites – in this case mainly midges and mosquitoes.
Symptoms of Oropouche infection typically last a week and include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Muscle aches
- Headache
Why is it concerning?
- Cases: In Brazil, cases have jumped from 832 in 2023 to 7284 so far in 2024.
- Geography: Previously mainly in the Amazon Basin, the virus has now been reported in new areas like Bolivia and Cuba.
- Severity: While historically considered mild, 2024 has seen the first reported deaths associated with Oropouche – 2 healthy young women in Brazil.
- Mitigation: There are no vaccines or specific treatments for Oropouche. Mosquito control may also be ineffective, but some chemical insecticides can help against midges.
What is being done?
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the overall public health risk posed by this virus to be high at the regional level and low at the global level (3).
- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert, calling for increased surveillance and diagnosis efforts.
- The United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (HPRU EZI) and The Pandemic Institute (TPI) have announced a combined funding call of £300,000 for research on Oropouche virus. For more information, click here (external link).
Conclusion
If you are travelling to Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia or Cuba, stay vigilant. As of 16th of August 2024, a total of 21 Oropouche virus disease cases were identified among travellers returning to the US from Cuba (4). For information about protecting your health while travelling, please see our guidelines for travellers.
The emergence of Oropouche virus is a reminder of the ever-present threat of infectious diseases, as well as the effects of climate change in contributing to the spread of disease-causing insects.
References
- The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Oropouche fever, the mysterious threat. Lancet Infect Dis. 2024;24(9):935. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00516-4.
- Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization. Epidemiological alert: Oropouche in the Region of the Americas – 1 August 2024. Washington, DC: Pan American Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2024.
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON530.
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7335e1.htm.