Travellers in Latin America have been warned to stay “vigilant” after 19 cases of Oropouche virus (Orov) were detected in tourists returning to Europe. Spain, Italy and Germany reported infections in numerous patients who had recently travelled to Cuba and Brazil, where outbreaks of the virus have caused health ministries to sound the alarm. In June and July, a total of 15 imported infections were reported in Spain, as well as five in Italy and two in Germany, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The ECDC warned of a moderate threat to travellers visiting Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba, where Orov is currently spreading. It added recent data indicates the virus may cause stillbirths and birth defects. “The impact of Orov infection for pregnant women, foetuses and newborns could therefore be higher than for the general population,” it said.
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