Oropouche fever cases rise in Brazil
The Brazil Ministry of Health is reporting an increase in cases of Oropouche fever, caused by the Oropouche virus (OROV), primarily in the North region of the country.
In 2024 to date, 3,161 cases of the disease were recorded, compared to 832 throughout last year.
Amazonas state has reported the most cases (2,462), followed by Roraima (590); by Acre (68); Pará (23); and by Roraima (18). The most affected age groups are people aged between 30 and 39; between 20 and 29 years old; and between 40 and 49 years old.
In the Americas, numerous outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease (OROV) have been reported in both rural and urban communities in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. In most of these outbreaks, males and females of all ages have been affected. In populations with previous contact with the virus, children and young people were most affected.
It is possible that the circulation of Oropouche virus includes both urban epidemic (affecting humans) and sylvatic (epizootic) cycles. In the sylvatic cycle, primates, sloths, and, occasionally, birds act as vertebrate hosts, while no definitive arthropod vector has been identified.
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In its urban epidemic cycle, OROV is mainly transmitted through the bite of the Culicoides paraensis midge (small flies) that is present in the region, as well as the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, which can also be a vector; humans act as the amplifying host.
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 meningitis.
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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.
