Barbados reports two confirmed Oropouche virus cases
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed two adult cases of the Oropouche virus disease (OROV) in Barbados.
OROV, which circulates in Central and South America and the Caribbean, can be transmitted to humans through bites from midges (commonly known as sand flies) and certain Culex mosquitoes, both commonly found in bushy areas and stagnant water.
Symptoms of the Oropouche virus disease are similar to other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue. They may begin four to eight days after being bitten by an infected insect and include sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, joint pain and stiffness, and sometimes nausea and vomiting.
While most individuals recover within seven days, some may remain ill for weeks. There is no specific treatment for OROV, but infected persons can be treated for their symptoms. Pregnant women are advised to take extra precautions.
The Ministry advises the public to adopt protective measures against mosquito and insect bites to prevent contracting OROV. These measures include:
Using insect screens and repellents.
Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially from dusk to dawn when the vectors are most active.
Eliminating areas of stagnant water around properties to prevent mosquito breeding.
Particularly during periods of heavy rain, the public is urged to search their homes and discard any stagnant water that may accumulate in empty containers.
The Ministry remains committed to safeguarding public health and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports, in 2024, more than 11,600 cases have been reported in 12 countries and territories in the region, mostly in Brazil.
PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said, "Although the Oropouche outbreak is on a much smaller scale than dengue, it requires our attention due to its increasing geographic spread" outside the Amazon Basin, including in areas with no prior history of the disease.