A new virus causing fever called Oropush has begun to spread in Europe. There is no vaccine against it and the virus is considered potentially fatal. In this text we will look at how serious the threat is, how infection occurs, what symptoms accompany the disease and how you can protect yourself.
We previously reported that the first death from the new FLiRT coronavirus strain was recorded in Ukraine.
What is Oropouche fever?
The European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported on 9 August 2024 19 cases of Oropouche fever in Spain, Italy and Germany, recorded from March to July 2024: 12 cases in Spain, 5 in Italy and 2 in Germany.
All infected people arrived from Brazil or Cuba, where the virus has been actively spreading since late 2023. In 2024, around 8,000 cases of the disease were reported in South American countries, including Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Cuba, the majority in Brazil.
The causative agent of Oropush fever.
The disease is caused by a virus that originally appeared in sloths and is transmitted through mosquito and midges bites. The virus has been known for almost 70 years and there have been previous cases of infection, but it was not until 2024, in March and June, that the first two deaths were recorded in Brazil.
Oropouche virus is not known to be transmitted from person to person, and its main vector, the mosquito Culicoides paraensis, is widespread in the Americas but not found in Europe. Furthermore, experts from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention doubt that European insects can become carriers of this virus, so the risk of local spread of the disease in Europe is considered low.
Symptoms of Oropush fever
Symptoms of the disease usually appear 3 to 12 days after infection, but in 40% of infected people they may not appear at all. In most cases, symptoms disappear within 2 to 7 days, but in 60% of patients they may reappear within a few days or weeks, causing weakness and general malaise for about a month.
Main symptoms include:
- fever;
- rash;
- headaches;
- Pain in muscles and joints.
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and photosensitivity are also sometimes seen. Oropouche fever does not cause a runny nose, cough or difficulty breathing.
How to protect yourself from the Oropush virus?
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral drug against the Oropush virus, so prevention is key.
Recommendations include:
- Use insect repellent to prevent bites, especially in areas with high risk of infestation;
- install fine mesh mosquito nets to protect against insects;
- wear clothing that covers arms and legs.
In addition, experts recommend that upon returning from regions where the Oropush virus is widespread, mosquito and mosquito bites should be avoided for three weeks to reduce the risk of spreading the virus if it is in the body.
Cursor previously wrote that Scientists said humanity needs to prepare for a new pandemic.The emergence and spread of new pathogens is inevitable.
