PAHO urges countries to strengthen prevention, surveillance and diagnosis of Oropouche virus due to its geographical spread and recent clinical findings (🇺🇸) – AWE24.com Aruba Information Center

Washington, DC, 2 August 2024 (Pan American Health Organization) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has published a Epidemiological alert Countries are called upon to strengthen surveillance and laboratory diagnosis of Oropouche virus (OROV). This call follows a recent increase in cases, the spread of the disease to new areas, and reports of the first death associated with the infection and possible vertical transmission.

As of the end of July 2024, 8,078 confirmed cases of Oropouche fever, including 2 deaths, have been reported in the region. Five countries have reported cases: Bolivia (356 cases), Brazil (7,284 cases, including 2 deaths), Colombia (74 cases), Cuba (74 cases), and Peru (290 cases).

Although the disease has historically been described as mild, the geographic distribution of its spread and the detection of more severe cases highlight the need for increased surveillance and characterization of potentially more severe manifestations. In July, Brazil also reported an investigation into a case of OROV transmission from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

Historically, Oropouche fever was primarily spread through the bite of an insect called a midge (Culicoides) is a common disease in the Amazon. However, factors such as climate change, deforestation and unplanned urbanization have contributed to the spread of the disease to states outside the Brazilian Amazon and to countries where cases have not been reported so far, including Bolivia and Cuba.

Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, and sometimes rash, photophobia, double vision, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms may last five to seven days. While most cases resolve without sequelae, a few may take weeks to fully recover. Rarely, severe cases with aseptic meningitis may occur.

OROV can be diagnosed by molecular diagnosis. The Pan American Health Organization has strengthened diagnostic capacity in 26 countries in the region. However, since the clinical presentation of OROV is similar to other arboviral infections and systematic surveillance is lacking in many countries, surveillance systems may underestimate the incidence of the disease.

The Pan American Health Organization recommends that countries in the region strengthen epidemiological surveillance and laboratory diagnosis, especially to detect fatal and severe cases and possible cases of vertical transmission. The organization also urges countries to expand prevention activities and strengthen entomological surveillance and vector control operations to reduce the number of mosquitoes and black flies.

People are also advised to take preventive measures, including using insect repellents, wearing clothing that covers the legs and arms, and fine-mesh mosquito nets, and to take extra precautions during the outbreak, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women.

There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral therapy for Oropouche fever. Treatment is symptomatic, focusing on pain relief and rehydration. PAHO will continue to monitor the outbreak and provide technical assistance to support the response efforts of countries in the region.