An insect-borne Oropouche virus outbreak in South America and the Caribbean has been linked to birth defects and deaths Two deaths and five cases of fetal death or birth defects have occurred in Brazil Eleven U.S. travelers have returned home with Oropouche, but there’s no evidence the virus is circulating in America TUESDAY, Aug.
20, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- An insect-borne virus that can cause birth defects and deaths has prompted warnings from the United States for travelers headed to locales in South America and the Caribbean. Oropouche virus has caused two deaths and five cases of fetal death or birth defects among more than 8,000 cases this year, in an outbreak stretching from the Amazon basin to Cuba, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent health advisory . The CDC is warning pregnant women to reconsider travel to any countries in which Oropouche is circulating. “If travel is unavoidable, pregnant travelers should strictly follow Oropouche virus prevention recommendations, to prevent insect bites during travel,” the CDC said.
The U.S. has had 11 travel-related cases of Oropouche this year, the CDC said.
However, there’s no evidence the virus has started to circulate in North America. Oropouche is spread by biting midges and some mosquitos, the CDC says. About 60% of people infected with Oropouche develop symptoms, the CDC says.
Common symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, chills and joint pain. The illness typicall.