Brazil: First case of Oropouche Fever in Paraíba state confirmed
The first case of Oropouche Fever in Paraíba was confirmed by the State Health Department (SES) last Thursday, July 11. The patient is a 34-year-old man, resident of the city of João Pessoa, who presented symptoms characteristic of dengue after traveling to Pernambuco, where he was infected.
After seeking medical attention, the man's diagnosis of Oropouche Fever was confirmed by an examination carried out at the Paraíba Central Public Health Laboratory (Lacen/PB).
According to the SES arbovirus technician, Carla Jaciara, the department found, after investigation, that this is an imported case, that is, the infection did not occur in Paraíba.
“Unlike Paraíba, Pernambuco has already recorded cases of the disease in 10 municipalities, so the case does not belong to our state. The patient returned from his trip with symptoms three days after returning. He was tested for dengue, chikungunya and zika, and the results were undetectable. However, since we have information about the epidemiological scenario of the places he visited, Lacen performed the necessary tests for diagnosis. It is important to emphasize that the patient is recovering well, is at home, and appears to be healthy,” explains the arbovirus technician.
In 2024, 7,044 cases have been confirmed to date, with local transmission in 16 Brazilian states.
Recently, a recommendation to states and municipalities to intensify health surveillance for the possibility of vertical transmission of the Oropouche virus was issued by the Ministry of Health.
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According to the ministry, the measure was adopted after the Evandro Chagas Institute detected the presence of the virus antibody in samples from one case of abortion and four cases of microcephaly. “This means that the virus is passed from the pregnant woman to the fetus, but it is not possible to confirm that there is a relationship between the infection and death and neurological malformations,” the ministry said in a statement.
In the document, the ministry advises that states and municipalities also step up surveillance during the final months of pregnancy and in monitoring babies of women who have had dengue, Zika, Chikungunya or Oropouche fever infections. The ministry also recommends collecting samples and filling out a notification form; alerting the population about protective measures for pregnant women, such as avoiding areas with the presence of midges (a type of insect) and mosquitoes, installing screens on doors and windows, wearing clothes that cover most of the body, and applying insect repellent.
Brazil: Oropouche fever cases top 5,000
According to the information, the Oropouche case detection service was expanded to the entire country in 2023, after the Ministry of Health made diagnostic tests available to the entire national network of Central Public Health Laboratories (Lacen). As a result, cases, which until then had been concentrated primarily in the North Region, began to be identified in other regions of the country as well.
“The discovery reinforces the efficiency of epidemiological surveillance in the SUS, especially in relation to possible vertical transmission of diseases, which is essential for early diagnosis and protecting pregnant women and newborns,” the ministry reported.
Oropouche fever reported in Cuba
Oropouche fever is a disease caused by Oropouche virus. It is spread through the bites of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes.
Symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to dengue and include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light. Severe cases may result in neuroinvasive disease such as meningitis.
Symptoms typically start 4–8 days after being bitten and last 3–6 days. Most people recover without long-term effects. Treatment is supportive; no specific medications or vaccines are available.
