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The first death from the Oropoch virus has been recorded in Brazil. It is a little-known disease that spreads through infected mosquitoes and mosquito bites. Here is what we know about this virus so far.
What happened?
Brazil’s health ministry said on Thursday that two women under the age of 30 in Brazil’s Bahia state became the first known people to die from the virus. They showed symptoms similar to dengue, another mosquito-borne virus that is often confused with Oropoch.
What is this?
The virus was first detected in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955. It is most often spread by mosquito bites, although it can also be transmitted by mosquitoes. “It is very important to point out that, according to our current knowledge, this virus does not spread directly from human to human,” Italian infectious disease researcher Concetta Castilletti told AFP. This means travellers to affected areas cannot spread the virus elsewhere. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Brazilian authorities are investigating recent reports that pregnant women may have transmitted the virus to their unborn babies.
where is?
The virus has been reported in parts of South America, Central America and the Caribbean. PAHO said more than 7,700 cases of Oropouche virus have been reported so far this year in five countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Cuba and Colombia. In Brazil alone, 7,236 cases have been reported in 2024, according to the Ministry of Health.
what are the symptoms?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus causes symptoms similar to dengue, such as fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, headache, vomiting, nausea, chills or sensitivity to light. Severe cases can lead to life-threatening complications such as meningitis. There are no specific treatments or vaccines for the virus. The best prevention is to avoid mosquitoes and mosquito bites when in the affected area. According to PAHO, this includes covering legs and arms, using strong insect repellent and fine-mesh mosquito nets, as mosquitoes can penetrate even conventional nets.
Risk of a widespread outbreak?
Compared to other viruses in its family, such as dengue and chikungunya, the virus has been less studied and less understood. A Lancet review earlier this year called the virus “a prototypical neglected disease.” The review said the virus has the “potential to become a major threat” because it can spread widely and cause serious health problems.
Castilletti’s lab detected the first two cases reported in Europe, in two unrelated travelers who returned to Italy from a trip to Cuba earlier this year. He said that because of the high number of travelers visiting affected areas, “we can expect more cases in Europe.” Researchers are concerned that rising temperatures caused by climate change are causing mosquito populations around the world to increase. Castilletti said this could increase the likelihood of viruses like Oropoch spreading.
What needs to be done?
He said researchers need to study the virus more to understand how it affects different types of people. Castilletti said a test that can rapidly detect the virus at the “earliest stage” is also needed. He called on regional, national and international health authorities to step up communication and preparedness to prevent potential future outbreaks. “‘Expect the unexpected,’ as the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us,” he said.
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