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- CDC Warns of Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers
On August 16, the CDC issued a health advisory to notify clinicians and public health authorities of an increase in Oropouche virus, a disease transmitted by small flying insects and mosquitoes in the Americas region, originating from endemic areas in the Amazon basin and new areas in South America and the Caribbean. Between January 1 and August 1, 2024, health agencies reported more than 8,000 cases of Oropouche virus disease, including two deaths and five cases of vertical transmission associated with fetal death or congenital abnormalities. In the United States and Europe in 2024, travel-associated cases have been identified in travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil.
Approximately 60% of people infected with Oropouche virus become symptomatic. The incubation period is typically 3–10 days. Initial clinical presentation is similar to diseases caused by dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, with acute onset of fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and arthralgia. Other symptoms can include retroorbital (eye) pain, photophobia (light sensitivity), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, maculopapular rash, conjunctival injection, and abdominal pain.
Clinical laboratory findings can include lymphopenia and leukopenia, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and slightly elevated liver enzymes. Initial symptoms typically resolve after a few days, but a high proportion (about 70%) experience recurrent symptoms days to weeks after resolution of their initial illness. Read more about Oropouche Virus from the CDC.