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6th Aug 2024
Oropouche virus
What you need to know, symptoms to watch out for and how to protect yourself.
Over 7000 cases of Oropouche virus have been reported in 20 Brazilian states in 2024. Two young previously fit and healthy young women under the age of 30 have tragically died. The virus spread by midges and mosquitoes and was first discovered in 1960 from a sloth.
There's been a huge surge in cases in Brazil 2024 but has now extended to parts of Central and South America (Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba) Of concern is that the Brazilian authorities are investigating 6 possible cases of mother to child transmission.
Image: Adobe stock
Symptoms of Oropouche virus to watch out for:
The challenge with the symptoms of oropouche virus is that the virus exists where dengue, zika and chikungunya viruses also co-exist and so the symptoms can be very similar. Cases of virus have been wrongly diagnosed as dengue virus.
Symptoms include:
· Headache
· Fever
· Chills
· Joints and muscle pains
· Next stiffness
· Light hurting your eyes
Less commonly, the virus can also cause the meningitis (an inflammation of the lining around the brain) or encephalitis (a information of the brain itself).
The symptoms usually start 4-8 days after the insect bite and can last up to a week. Unfortunately, there's no current treatment or vaccine.
Advice for travellers
Before you travel
Make sure you get specialist travel health advice from experts such as Health Klinix. They can guide you on what travel vaccinations you might need and how to best prepare for your trip. Alternatively contact your GP.
During travel
As we don't yet have any treatment or a vaccine, it's crucial that you avoid insect bites. You should wear long sleeve clothing and apply insect repellent containing 50% DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, saltidin or picardin.
When you return
If you've been to Central or South America and developed the above symptoms then please contact your health professional for advice and appropriate testing.
Details of the ongoing outbreak of oropouche of virus can be followed here.
If you’re travelling to an affected area and would like expert travel health advice, you can book online with Health Klinix. We're offering 10% off all travel vaccinations in August!
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