Key TakeawaysThe CDC has issued a health alert for Oropouche virus, an endemic vector-borne disease in parts of South America.Oropouche virus symptoms resemble those of dengue and Zika, including fever, chills, muscle pain, and headache. Severe cases can cause neurological issues and hemorrhaging.There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.

Key Takeaways

The CDC has issued a health alert for Oropouche virus, an endemic vector-borne disease in parts of South America.Oropouche virus symptoms resemble those of dengue and Zika, including fever, chills, muscle pain, and headache. Severe cases can cause neurological issues and hemorrhaging.There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued ahealth alertfor Oropouche virus, a mosquito and midge-borne disease that is endemic in the Amazon region.

More than 8,000 infections have been reported this year in countries like Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Cuba. Dozens of cases have been reported in the United States—all linked to travel.

Oropouche virus, also known as “sloth fever,” is largely transmitted in forests between mosquitoes and animals such as birds, rodents, and sloths. Travelers could get infected while visiting the Amazon and spread the virus when they return home.

In a paper published this year, researchers in China called Oropouche virus a neglected global threat that’s likely to spread beyond South America soon because of climate change.

“After three to 10 days, you’re going to get really sick, having fevers, muscle aches, pain behind the eyes, big headaches and nausea, vomiting. Some people [have] abdominal discomfort and skin rashes. So, it may look similar to many other viruses endemic in this area,” saidCarlos Zambrano, MD,an infectious disease expert at Loretto Hospital.

Although these symptoms usually go away after a few days, they may reappear days to weeks after recovery in 70% of the patients. Less than 5% of patients can develop a severe case with neurological complications or hemorrhagic manifestations.

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Who Is Most at Risk for Oropouche Virus?

The CDC alert advises pregnant people to reconsider non-essential travel to areas with an Oropouche virus Level 2Travel Health Notice, such as Cuba.

Although the disease is typically mild, the virus can pass from a pregnant parent to the fetus. In 2024, five cases of fetal death or abnormalities have been reported as a result of Oropouche virus.

Earlier this year, two healthy young women who were not pregnant in Brazil also died of the virus, and they had symptoms similar to severe dengue.

There’s no vaccine or specific treatment for Oropouche virus. However, the CDC recommends using acetaminophen to treat fever and pain instead of aspirin or similar NSAIDs to reduce the risk of hemorrhaging.

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How to Prevent Oropouche Virus

The best way to prevent an Oropouche infection is to avoid bug bites. This means wearing long-sleeve clothing wherever possible, sleeping in areas protected from mosquitos and midges, and using insect repellent.

Zambrano said it’s important to know when and where the infected mosquitoes and midges are most active.

“Usually, these mosquitoes bite at night and at dawn,” he said. “Also, avoid the areas where the mosquito is endemic and in the forest areas.”

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What This Means For YouIf you’re planning to travel to regions where Oropouche virus is common, take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as there’s no specific treatment or vaccine available yet.

What This Means For You

If you’re planning to travel to regions where Oropouche virus is common, take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as there’s no specific treatment or vaccine available yet.

1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhang Y, Liu X, Wu Z, et al.Oropouche virus: a neglected global arboviral threat.Virus Res. 2024;341:199318. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199318

1 Source

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhang Y, Liu X, Wu Z, et al.Oropouche virus: a neglected global arboviral threat.Virus Res. 2024;341:199318. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199318

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Zhang Y, Liu X, Wu Z, et al.Oropouche virus: a neglected global arboviral threat.Virus Res. 2024;341:199318. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199318

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