Oropouche fever is transmitted mainly by the bite of gnats, among other insects / OPS
Oropouche fever outbreak in Latin America worries experts
- More than 10,000 cases reported in 2024 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Oropouche fever is transmitted by insects and could be sexually transmitted.
- Climate change and mutant strains could be driving its rapid spread.
The essential: fever Oropoucheclassified as “high risk” by the World Health Organization (WHO)has re-emerged with more than 10,000 confirmed cases in 2024 in Latin America. This virus, which causes fever, pain and in severe cases, meningitis, has no treatment or vaccine, and is mainly transmitted by insects such as the Culicoides paraensis midge. However, a recent study in Italy raises the possibility of sexual transmission. Climate change is another factor that could be increasing the reach of the virus in the region, according to experts.
Why it matters: Oropouche fever, with new potential routes of transmission, represents a public health threat, and experts warn of the risk of it establishing itself in broader areas:
- The lack of vaccines and treatments underlines the urgency of preventive measures.
- Possible sexual transmission poses new challenges in health and reproductive technologies.
- Climate change could increase risk areas and the incidence of cases.
In Brazil, the Oropouche virus was detected in areas where it did not previously circulate / AFP PHOTO / Brazilian Presidency
While the dengue continues to hit like never before in the region of Latin America and the Caribbeananother infection transmitted by insects is re-emerging and has already been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) with a “high” risk level at the regional level” for his rapid spread.
It is the fever Oropouchea viral disease that produces symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, intense discomfort when exposed to light, muscle and joint pain. In some cases, it can cause more serious complications such as meningitis or encephalitis.
The International Society of Infectious Diseases published a editorial in its magazine to draw attention to the ongoing Oropouche fever epidemic in the Latin American and Latin American region.
Headache may be a symptom of having acquired Oropouche fever. Sometimes it can be confused with dengue (Illustrative Image Infobae)
The experts of that medical entity considered that research should be done “to understand the possible geographical expansion of Oropouche in the Americas, the potential of the virus to establish itself in reservoirs and susceptible vectors on other continents, the factors that drive zoonotic spillover and the possible impact of climate change”.
The virus that causes the infection It was first isolated in 1955 in Trinidad and has since caused sporadic outbreaks of fever in humans in South America and the Caribbean.
Brazil has been one of the countries most affected by the Oropouche fever epidemic/ Getty Images
From the beginning of 2024 until last October 15, there have been reports 10,275 confirmed cases of Oropouche in the Americas and two deaths in Brazil, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
Countries with cases include Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and the United States, which also reported 90 imported cases. In Europe, the countries of Germany, Spain and Italy They have documented 30 imported cases, mainly from travelers who visited Cuba.
Currently, there are no vaccines or specific antiviral treatments, and management focuses on symptom control. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of insects such as gnats Culicoides paraensis and the mosquitoes Aedes spp.which are in forest areas and bodies of water.
In Cuba, more than 500 cases of Oropouche have been registered/ REUTERS/Norlys Perez
Recently, two groups of researchers made significant discoveries to further understand why the disease has become epidemic this year and how it can be transmitted.
On the one hand, Gabriel Scachettifrom the Institute of Biology of the University of Campinasin Brazil together with colleagues from the United States and the United Kingdom identified that the strain of the virus in circulation since last year is a genetic rearrangement.
In an article published in The Lancet Infectious Diseasesthe team of researchers indicated that the change in the pathogen “could be contributing to the unprecedented epidemic spread.” Therefore, they noted, “continuous surveillance of Oropouche virus strains with the capacity to escape immunity is crucial for epidemic preparedness.”
Given the discovery of the Oropouche virus in the semen of a man who had traveled to Cuba, the possibility of sexual transmission of the virus also arises/File
On the other hand, an investigation in Italia postulated the possibility that the virus could be transmitted through unprotected sexual relations. It was made by Concetta Castilletti and colleagues from Hospital IRCCS Sacred Heart Don Calabriaalong with Federico Gobbi, de the University of Brescia.
The team documented the case of a 42-year-old Italian man who presented symptoms of Oropouche fever after having traveled to Cuba last July. Oropouche virus RNA was detected in the patient’s blood, serum, urine, and semen.
Sixteen days after the onset of symptoms, they managed to isolate a replicating virus in a semen sample, suggesting the possibility of sexual transmission, they commented in the journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In dialogue with Infobae, Paula Bergeroresearcher in mathematical models and infectious diseases of the Institute for Theoretical and Applied Physicochemical Research (INIFTA)which depends on Conicet and the National University of La Plata, commented: “For now there has been only one case detected, but the Detection of the virus in a patient’s semen already raises concerns about the possible risk of sexual transmission.
The study in Italy postulates the sexual route of transmission of the pathogen. Sperm conservation procedures and assisted reproductive technologies should take this into account/File
It could pose a risk not only to the patient’s sexual partner, but also to the surgical procedures. sperm conservation y assisted reproductive technologies. For this reason – he highlighted – the use of barrier protection, such as condoms, in sexual relations.
“We are facing a re-emerging disease and many aspects are still unknown. The study led by researchers from Brazil tells us that there were genetic changes in the virus, although it requires more studies. While the work in Italy raises the possibility that the virus is not only transmitted by insect bites, but also sexually,” he told Infobae the president of the Latin American Society of Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Alfonso Rodríguez Morales.
It is suspected that climate change could also be a factor that influenced the spread of the Oropouche virus (Illustrative Image Infobae)
There is also the possibility that climate change induced by human activities has been another factor that influenced the greater spread of the virus in areas where it did not previously circulate.
In the study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases It was detailed that the rainy season in the Brazilian Amazoncharacterized by high temperatures and humiditycould have facilitated the reproduction and density of insect populations Culicoides paraensis.
Furthermore, they recognize that there is a lack of information on the effects of increases in temperature and climate events such as El Niño 2023-2024 in the propagation of Oropouche.
It is recommended to use repellents and avoid breeding sites for mosquitoes and gnats (Illustrative Image Infobae)
While investigations continue, PAHO highlighted the importance of implementing control and prevention measures in areas with outbreaks of Oropouche fever. Among the recommendations are:
- Surveillance should be strengthened to detect insects, especially Culicoides paraensiswhich is the main transmitter of the virus. It is recommended to identify and eliminate breeding sites where water accumulates
- Implement agricultural practices that avoid the accumulation of waste and maintain areas clean of weeds to reduce refuge sites for insects.
- Use fine mesh on doors and windows of homes to avoid bites
- Apply approved repellents, such as DEET, to exposed skin and clothing
- Wear clothing that covers the legs and arms, especially for people in contact with the outside world.
- Use insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets for people who rest during the day (e.g. pregnant women, babies)
