The Ministry of Health, through the National Department of Epidemiology, in conjunction with the Gorgas Memorial Institute, reported a case of Oropouche fever in a 31-year-old male, who has now recovered.
Oropouche virus disease is a febrile infection caused by the bite of the Culicoides and Culex mosquitoes (known as “jejen”).
Outbreaks of this disease have been more frequent in the Amazon Basin region, and in view of the increase in cases, since February of this year the Pan American Health Organization issued the “Oropouche Epidemiological Alert in the Region of the Americas”.
After an incubation period of 5 to 7 days, patients infected by the Oropouche virus experience: sudden high fever of up to 5 days, intense headache, extreme weakness (prostration), joint and muscle pain. In some cases, photophobia (intolerance to light), dizziness, persistent nausea or vomiting, and low back pain may appear.
Although serious complications are rare, the disease can evolve into aseptic meningitis, which generally manifests itself in the second week of the disease, which prolongs recovery for weeks.
Among the preventive measures recommended to the population are: use of repellents, clothing that covers legs and arms, and fine mesh mosquito nets, especially for vulnerable groups.
Currently, there are no vaccines or specific antiviral treatments for Oropouche fever. The management of the disease is symptomatic, focused on relieving pain and rehydrating the patient.
If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention because the disease can be confused with others such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.
Following the detection of this case of Oropouche fever, the Minsa has intensified epidemiological surveillance.
During the first nine months of the year, a total of 10,275 confirmed Oropouche cases, including two deaths, were reported in the Americas Region. Confirmed cases were reported in nine countries: Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (n= 356 cases), Brazil (n= 8,258 cases, including two deaths), Canada (n= 2 imported cases), Colombia (n= 74 cases), Cuba (n= 555 cases), Ecuador (n= 2 cases), Guyana( n=2 cases), Peru (n= 936 cases), and the United States of America (n= 90 imported cases).