The Oropouche virus (OROV) cases have now reached Europe, alarming health authorities.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 19 cases in Europe by the end of July, with 12 occurring in Spain, five occurring in Italy, and two in Germany.
The virus, usually spread by bites from mosquitoes and a small fly species, had previously been limited to areas of South America.
Discovered in Trinidad and Tobago back in 1955 where it was named after the Oropouche River, this virus has had “limited circulation” until now other than found mostly between wooded areas of South American lands.
Three-toed sloths and birds are now known to be natural reservoirs—hosts of the virus but unaffected by it.
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel and Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center said, “The virus doesn’t spread from person to a person.”
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert on August 1 advising countries to “strengthen surveillance and laboratory diagnosis for the identification, confirmation, verification of cases … potentially associated with OROV infection.”
As at the end of July, 8,078 cases had been confirmed in five countries: Bolivia (356), Brazil (7,284), Colombia (74) Cuba (74), and Peru (290).
Healthcare resources in South America are already stretched to the limit by a worrying outbreak of Oropouche fever which, if it continues unabated, could only add further strain. The Lancet Infectious Diseases article cautioned on August 8 that experts worry the outbreak could grow beyond its current bounds.
The Zika virus has been strongly linked with affected mothers giving birth to children suffering from severely under-developed brains which are also being investigated in Brazil. “There is some risk to the fetus of birth defects,” Siegel said.
In the case of Oropouche virus, it is an arbovirus and its symptoms are frequently confused with other similar diseases like Zika, dengue chikungunya or even malaria. Symptoms of the illness — which include fever, headache, muscle aches and stiffness in joints as well as chills; some patients develop a rash that starts on their trunks and spreads — are rarely fatal. Symptoms usually start 4 to 8 days after a bite and last three to six days. Symptoms disappear and come back, Siegel said. In its most serious form, the virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis or other “neuroinvasive” diseases.
If you become infected with Oropouche, the CDC said that most cases will recover on their own with no lasting impact. Nevertheless, the agency recommended that “Patients sicker with other risk factors should be hospitalized for more comprehensive observation and supportive care.”
As there are no vaccines or specific antiviral treatments to combat Oropouche virus infection, prevention is therefore crucial.
People with symptoms should also seek out testing and take supportive care like rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications to relieve fever or pain.
