What are the consequences of an infection with the oropouche virus?

The Oropouche virus is an arbovirus, meaning it is transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes. It causes Oropouche fever, a disease that occurs mainly in urban areas of Central and South America, especially Brazil, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Peru.

The virus is mainly transmitted by Culicoides paraensis, a species of midge (a small biting insect), and possibly by mosquitoes such as Culex quinquefasciatus. The natural reservoir of the virus is thought to be birds and small mammals, although the exact reservoirs have not yet been fully determined. In addition to the bite of infected insects, the virus can also spread through human-to-human transmission through contaminated blood products.

The symptoms of Oropouche fever usually appear 4 to 8 days after infection and include high fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting, and rash. Although the disease is usually self-limiting and not life-threatening, symptoms can be severe enough to require hospitalization.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Oropouche fever. The treatment is mainly supportive and aimed at relieving symptoms such as pain relief and hydration. Preventive measures include avoiding bites by midges and mosquitoes by using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and using mosquito nets. Reducing insect breeding sites can also help limit the spread of the virus.

Source: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/oropouche-fever-brazil

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-02 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025