Cayman Compass
Par Norma Connolly
The Cayman Islands Department of Health and Wellness has issued an advisory to local residents warning them of the risk of transmission of the Oropouche virus, which can be spread by mosquitoes.
No cases have been reported in the Cayman Islands, local health authorities confirmed.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert earlier this month after seeing the virus spreading in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, including places where no cases had been reported in the past.
Dr. Nick Gent, the Cayman Islands’ chief medical officer, said Friday that with the overall risk level for the region having been raised to high by PAHO, “and given our links to many countries affected by this virus – primarily Cuba, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia – it is in our best interest to ensure that our residents are aware of these risks and take precautions when traveling to endemic areas.”
He added that since insects capable of transmitting the Oropouche virus are present in the Cayman Islands, “it is important to remember to take measures to prevent local transmission.”
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Oropouche virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of a midge (small fly) and certain mosquitoes, including the Culex quinquefasciatus, also known as the “Southern house mosquito”, which is found in the Cayman Islands. There is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Symptoms of the disease are similar to those of dengue fever: fever, headache, joint stiffness, aches and chills. Symptoms usually last for five to seven days.
While serious cases are rare, two deaths have been reported, both in Brazil, according to the alert issued on August 1 by PAHO, which indicated that, since the beginning of the year, 8,078 cases have been confirmed in the region. According to PAHO, this is the first time that deaths have been attributed to the virus.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Oropouche virus disease, which was first detected in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago. It is named after the area of Trinidad where the laboratory where it was discovered and isolated was located, on the banks of the Oropouche River.
“Locally, we have developed the capacity to test for Oropouche virus at the Cayman Islands Molecular Biology Laboratory at the Health Services Authority,” Dr. Samuel Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, said in the statement. “The test is currently being validated and health care providers will be notified when it becomes available.”
Anyone with fever and muscle or joint pain is advised to contact their GP for advice and testing, particularly if they have recently travelled to an endemic area.
People traveling to affected areas are advised to use insect repellent and take precautions to avoid bites.
How to protect yourself against mosquito bites?
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