Although little is known about the virus Oropouchehealth authorities have already identified that, like Zika, this disease can be transmitted from mother to fetus.
According to Dr. Eduardo Ortega-Barría, representative of the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt), it was recently discovered that the virus Oropouche can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus through the placenta.
Although there is no information about the effects that this contagion would have on infants, it is speculated that they could be similar to those of Zika, that is, malformations and microcephaly, which affects the brain development of minors.
The Senacyt secretary stated that it is very likely that there will be more cases in the country, since the vectors generally reproduce during the rainy, humid and hot season, characteristics that Panama meets.
He stressed that it is important to carry out the corresponding studies and analyzes to identify subclinical casesthose who do not present symptoms, but who may be carriers of the virus.
Because there is no vaccine or adequate treatment for this disease, the doctor advises citizens to reinforce prevention measures and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
He mentioned that it would be important for the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies (ICGES) to determine whether the mosquitoes Culicoides paraensis, known as midge, and Culex quinquefasciatus, are resistant or not to insecticides used in homes.’
1989
Since this date, no case of Oropouche had been recorded in the country, until this year.
31
Years ago the first patient was detected with the virus in Panama.
The national head of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), Blas Armién, also referred to this topic, who mentioned that a person can be infected with dengue and Oropouche at the same time.
Its symptoms include: intense fever, chills, general malaise, joint pain and severe headache.
