Oropouche Fever

What is Oropouche Fever?

Oropouche Fever is an infectious disease caused by the Oropouche virus, from the Orthobunyavirus genus. The virus was first isolated in Brazil in the 1960s, mainly in the Amazon region. Recently, it has been detected more frequently in several states due to increased availability of diagnostic tests.

Although often mistaken for dengue due to similar symptoms, its main vector is the Culicoides paraensis mosquito, also known as maruim or biting midge, which breeds in stagnant water and can be found in both wild and urban areas.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Oropouche Fever include:
 

• fever, usually between 38 and 39.5 °C
• headache
• muscle and joint pain
• skin rashes, which are changes in skin appearance such as redness and swelling
• dizziness and chills
• sensitivity to light (photophobia), which may cause eye discomfort or pain
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• in some cases, viral meningitis and hemorrhages
   

Symptoms typically appear four to eight days after infection and may last up to two weeks.

Types

There are two transmission cycles of Oropouche Fever:

• Wild cycle: involves animals as hosts, meaning they carry the virus inside their bodies. Mosquitoes such as Coquillettidia venezuelensis and Aedes serratus act as vectors, transmitting the disease from one living being to another.

• Urban cycle: humans are the main hosts carrying the virus in their bodies. The mosquito Culicoides paraensis is the vector, meaning it transmits the disease to other individuals who may become infected after being bitten. The mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus can also transmit the Oropouche virus.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Oropouche Fever is made through clinical and laboratory tests. Depending on the stage of the disease, the following tests are recommended:

• Acute phase, lasting two to seven days after symptom onset: RT-PCR
• From the fifth day onward, after symptom onset: serological tests

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for Oropouche Fever. Disease management focuses mainly on symptom relief. This may include administering pain and fever medications, hydration (about two liters per day for adults), and rest. Follow-up with a general practitioner or infectious disease specialist is essential to monitor symptom progression.
 

Prevention

Main preventive measures against Oropouche Fever include:

• avoiding places with accumulated garbage and stagnant water
• applying repellents to exposed skin areas
• keeping environments clean and free of mosquito breeding grounds, such as stagnant water
• installing screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquito entry

References
 

Ministry of Health

Pernambuco State Health Department

Agência Brasil

Fiocruz

Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine

BBC News Brasil

By the Einstein Editorial Board