Oropouche

Oropouche fever is an infection caused by the Oropouche virus, primarily transmitted by mites and occasionally by Culex mosquitoes. These mites and mosquitoes bite mainly around sunrise and sunset, and the mosquitoes also at night.

The following disease symptoms may appear between four and eight days after infection:

• Fever
• Headache 
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting

In most cases, the disease progresses mildly and symptoms resolve within seven days. However, in rare instances, neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningitis may occur. Death from Oropouche virus is extremely rare.

There is currently limited data on the risks to pregnant women and their unborn children. In Brazil, a few cases of mother-to-child transmission have been reported. It is unclear whether the Oropouche virus was responsible for the adverse health outcomes observed in the fetuses.

There is no specific treatment.

The risk for travellers to a region with an outbreak is moderate, but it can vary locally, for instance in the northern states of Brazil and/or the Amazon region.