Early Release: Oropouche Virus Disease Among U.S. Travelers — United States, 2024.
Image Credit: CI Photos / Shutterstock In a recent article published in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , researchers from the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and various state departments of health reported 21 new cases of Oropouche viral disease among travelers returning from Brazil and Cuba and discussed the public health implications and measures associated with this outbreak.
Oropouche virus Oropouche virus belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus and has been reported to cause disease in humans in the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions. The virus is thought to use vertebrate hosts such as sloths, birds, and non-human primates in the sylvatic cycle and humans as hosts in the urban cycle, with biting midges and possibly Culex mosquitoes acting as the vectors. Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus).
Image Credit: Diego Grandi / Shutterstock The symptoms of Oropouche virus infections are similar to those observed with Zika, dengue, and chikungunya, with sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and muscle and joint pain. Other symptoms include pain behind the eyes, photophobia, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain , fatigue, and maculopapular rash. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and in severe cases, it can lead to meningitis and encephalitis.
The disease is self-limiting, usually lasting 2-7 days, but can .