The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert in August 2024 that urged Member States to “strengthen surveillance and implement laboratory diagnosis” to address the increase in cases of Oropouche virus (OROV). In 2024 there has been a rise in reported cases, which includes areas that previously had no reported cases, and there have been fatal cases associated with OROV infection.
What is Oropouche fever?
PAHO states that Oropouche fever has “historically” been transmitted through the bite of a Culicoides in the Amazon. However, factors such as “climate change, deforestation, and unplanned urbanisation” have enabled a spread to non-Amazonia states in Brazil and countries that previously had no reported cases, such as Cuba. Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, severe headache, pain, and vomiting or diarrhoea, and generally last up to a week.
OROV can be confirmed by molecular diagnosis, but the clinical presentation is like other arboviral infections. This, combined with a “lack of systematic surveillance in many countries”, means that countries may be underestimating the frequency of disease. There are no vaccines or specific antiviral drugs to prevent or treat OROV infection, so the treatment approach is palliative
The situation so far
From epidemiological week (EW) 1 to EW 29 of 2024 there were 8,078 confirmed Oropouche cases, including two deaths, reported in the Region of the Americas. The cases were distributed among five countries in the Region:
- The Plurinational State of Bolivia – 356 cases
- Brazil – 7,284 cases, 2 deaths
- Colombia – 74 cases
- Cuba – 74 cases
- Peru – 290 cases
Brazil has reported one foetal death and one miscarriage in the state of Pernambuco, as well as four cases of newborns with microcephaly. A further three possible cases of vertical transmission and their consequences are being investigated, also in Pernambuco, in relation to three foetal deaths.
PAHO emphasises the importance of disease diagnosis and clinical management, reminding Member States that they should report any “related unusual event”, including deaths associated with OROV infection and possible cases of vertical transmission.
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