Oropouche fever

Oropouche fever
Tiny midge with black-and-white wings on human skin
Midges (Culicoides sp.) are the main vectors which spread the Oropouche virus between humans.[1]
SpecialtyInfectious diseases Edit this on Wikidata
SymptomsFever (~100%), headache (70–80%), arthralgia, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, photophobia, rash
ComplicationsMeningoencephalitis
Usual onset3–8 days
Duration2–7 days
CausesOropouche virus (OROV)
Diagnostic methodClinical, laboratory (PCR)
Differential diagnosisDengue, Chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, malaria
TreatmentSymptomatic; none specific

Oropouche fever is a tropical viral infection which can infect humans. It is transmitted by biting midges and mosquitoes, from a natural reservoir which includes sloths, non-human primates, and birds.[2] The disease is named after the region where it was first discovered and isolated in 1955, by the Oropouche River in Trinidad and Tobago.[3] Oropouche fever is caused by the Oropouche virus (OROV), of the Bunyavirales order of viruses.

Oropouche fever is endemic to the Amazon basin, with some evidence that its range may be spreading more widely in South and Central America.[4] Since its discovery in 1955, there have been more than 30 epidemics of OROV in countries including Brazil, Peru, and Panama, with over half a million diagnosed cases in total.[5] It has also been detected in-between epidemics, indicating that it may spread silently.[2]

The signs and symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to those of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.[6] Symptoms are often mild and typically begin three to eight days after infection. Fever, headache, and muscle and joint pains are most common; a skin rash, unusual sensitivity to light, and nausea and vomiting may also occur. Most cases are self-limited, with recovery in two to seven days. In severe illness, however, the central nervous system may be affected, with symptoms of meningitis and encephalitis, and a tendency to excessive bleeding has been reported in up to 15% of cases.[6]

Oropouche has been recognized as among the most neglected of tropical diseases and as an emerging infectious disease. Little is known about its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and natural history, and there is no specific treatment or vaccine.[6][7]

  1. ^ Mourão, Maria Paula G.; Bastos, Michelle S.; Gimaque, João Bosco L.; Mota, Bruno Rafaelle; Souza, Giselle S.; Grimmer, Gustavo Henrique N.; Galusso, Elizabeth S.; Arruda, Eurico; Figueiredo, Luiz Tadeu M. (December 2009). "Oropouche Fever Outbreak, Manaus, Brazil, 2007–2008". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 15 (12): 2063–2064. doi:10.3201/eid1512.090917. ISSN 1080-6040. PMC 3044544. PMID 19961705.
  2. ^ a b The Lancet Infectious Diseases (8 August 2024). "Oropouche fever, the mysterious threat". The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 24 (9): 935. doi:10.1016/s1473-3099(24)00516-4. ISSN 1473-3099. PMID 39128474.
  3. ^ Nunes MRT (2005). "Oropouche Virus Isolation, Southeast Brazil". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 11 (10): 1610–1613. doi:10.3201/eid1110.050464. PMC 3366749. PMID 16318707.
  4. ^ CDC (2024-08-08). "Clinical Overview of Oropouche Virus Disease". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  5. ^ Sakkas, Hercules; Bozidis, Petros; Franks, Ashley; Papadopoulou, Chrissanthy (2018-04-04). "Oropouche Fever: A Review". Viruses. 10 (4): 175. doi:10.3390/v10040175. ISSN 1999-4915. PMC 5923469. PMID 29617280.
  6. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Sakkas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wesselmann was invoked but never defined (see the help page).