The Oropouche virus, which is spread primarily through the bites of mosquito-like insects known as gnats and causes a febrile illness that in some cases can quickly turn fatal, has been spreading in certain destinations in South America and the Caribbean and in some cases has reached as far north as Florida.
More than 8,000 cases of the virus have been reported since the beginning of 2024, while Florida has already recorded 30 cases among returning residents.
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Most cases (7,284 identified) have been reported in Brazil and, as a result, several governments have issued travel advisories reminding citizens to take care to avoid insect bites when travelling there.
Oropouche virus symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, headache, and chills, which in certain cases can become severe enough to become a medical emergency. The disease is also commonly known as “sloth fever.”
Here's what you need to know about the spread of the Oropouche virus
“Cases of Oropouche are being reported in parts of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wrote in a note in February. “The disease can affect people of any age and is often confused with dengue (a much more common tropical disease).”
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Canada, which welcomes large numbers of its citizens during the winter months, has issued an advisory saying cases have been on the rise. As there is some evidence that the virus could be transmitted from a mother to a fetus, anyone pregnant is advised to take extra care to avoid insect bites. Symptoms usually appear three to eight days after the bite. There is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission outside of pregnancy.
“While it has already been detected in the Americas, the number of cases is now higher than expected and cases are being reported in some areas of Brazil, Bolivia and Cuba where they had not been previously reported,” the note reads. “Several travel-related cases of OVD have been reported internationally, most of which occurred in travelers returning from Cuba.”
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Traveling to these destinations? Be careful to avoid insect bites
Although a history of strained relations between the two countries makes it more difficult for Americans to travel to Cuba, all of the Oropouche cases in Florida and the one in New York were identified in people who had recently returned from the country.
While cases in Brazil are more numerous, Cuba has caused more concern to authorities due to its sudden spread and unexpected appearance (the Oropouche is native to South America).
The provinces of Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, where several all-inclusive resorts are located, have confirmed the cases. So far, no serious cases have been reported, but authorities are warning of the possibility of the virus spreading and becoming a pandemic.
“Outbreaks are periodically reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago,” the World Health Organization writes. “There is a risk of international spread of the disease, as Cuba is an international tourist destination and the suspected vector is widely distributed in the Americas.”
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