Brazil’s health ministry has confirmed the first-ever recorded deaths due to Oropouche fever, a virus similar to severe dengue. The tragic deaths involved two young women from Bahia state, both under 30 and with no prior health issues. These cases mark the world’s first fatalities attributed to this viral infection.
Oropouche fever, caused by the Orthobunyavirus oropoucheense, was first identified in Brazil in 1960. While primarily found in the Amazon region, it has also been reported in other Central and South American countries such as Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The virus is mainly spread by the Culicoides paraenses mosquito, locally known as maruim, as well as through infected midges and mosquitoes.
Symptoms of Oropouche fever resemble those of dengue and chikungunya, including fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sensitivity to light. The illness typically manifests 4-8 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and can last about a week, though symptoms may reoccur after a brief period of improvement.
This year alone, over 7,200 cases have been reported across 20 Brazilian states, predominantly in Amazonas and Rondônia. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has raised concerns over the rising cases of Oropouche virus in parts of the Americas.
Authorities are investigating if another death in Santa Catarina, South Brazil, is linked to the disease. Additionally, they are examining four miscarriages and two cases of microcephaly in babies in Pernambuco, Bahia, and Acre for potential connections to Oropouche fever.
There is no specific treatment for Oropouche fever. Prevention strategies include avoiding mosquito-prone areas, wearing long clothing and repellent, maintaining cleanliness, and using screens on doors and windows. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and ensuring adequate hydration to prevent dehydration.
