Oropouche virus disease, sometimes called Oropouche fever or sloth fever, is an illness caused by the Oropouche virus that’s spread mostly by biting midges.
It can also be spread by mosquitoes. The virus can be mistaken for malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika viruses because they all have similar symptoms.
Oropouche virus outbreaks
First discovered in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago, the Oropouche virus was originally limited to South America, especially forested regions.
Now, there are reports of the Oropouche virus in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and a few other countries. In June 2024, Cuba reported its first case of the Oropouche virus. There have been cases of the virus in Europe, specifically Germany, Italy, and Spain, but these people were travelers who had just returned from Cuba or Brazil.
Oropouche Virus Risk Factors
Currently, the Oropouche virus is still centered in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. So the known risk factors for getting the Oropouche virus are being in areas where there is active virus and being bitten by infected midges or mosquitoes.
How does Oropouche spread?
The Oropouche virus spreads through bites from infected midges and mosquitoes.
First, a midge or mosquito bites an infected animal, often a sloth, but it can be a primate (monkeys and apes) or a bird. The insect becomes infected. If the infected insect bites you, it can transmit the virus to you.
If you are infected and bitten by another insect, that insect can then bite other people and infect them.
If you’re pregnant
If you’re pregnant and are bitten by an infected midge or mosquito, the infection could be passed on to the fetus, causing a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Oropouche Virus Symptoms
Oropouche virus symptoms are similar to other types of viruses like dengue or Zika virus. It takes from 4 to 8 days for symptoms to start after you’ve been infected. The first symptom is usually a sudden fever, ranging from 100 to 104 F (38 to 40 C). You likely also would have:
- Severe headache
- Chills
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Arthralgia (joint pain or stiffness)
Other symptoms you could have include:
- Photophobia (eyes sensitive to light)
- Double vision
- Dizziness
- Eye pain
- Pain behind your eye
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- A flat, red rash that usually starts on your trunk and then spreads to your arms and legs
Less common symptoms include:
- Red eyes
- Diarrhea
- Severe abdominal pain
- Bleeding from your gums
- Nose bleeds
- Blood in your bowel movements
- Heavier than usual menstrual periods
- Petechiae (tiny red or purple spots on your skin, eyes, and elsewhere)
How long do Oropouche symptoms last?
Oropouche symptoms can last as few as 2 days but as long as 7. Up to 60% of people who have the Oropouche virus get the symptoms again a few days or even a week after their first ones.
Oropouche Virus Diagnosis
If you think you might have the Oropouche virus, your doctor will listen to you describe your symptoms and ask you about your travel history. You should mention if you have been to countries like Brazil or Cuba, where the virus is found, especially if you were in areas where you had a higher chance of being bitten by an insect. If you remember getting bitten, be sure to say that. You should also mention if anyone close to you has been to any of the affected countries within the past few weeks because if they have the virus, a midge or mosquito could bite them and then you, transmitting the virus.
Oropouche virus symptoms are quite similar to some other viruses, so the only way to know for sure if you have the Oropouche virus is through blood tests. The tests should be done within the first few days after you become infected for the most accurate results.
Oropouche Virus Treatment
Researchers are working to find a treatment for the virus, but like many viruses, there is no treatment for the Oropouche virus yet. Instead, treatment focuses on managing your symptoms to keep you as comfortable as possible while you are sick. This includes:
Rest. Rest as much as possible so your immune system can work on fighting the virus.
Drink fluids. If you have a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhea, you could become dehydrated. Drinking fluids and eating foods that have a lot of liquids can keep you from getting dehydrated.
Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications. OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen can help manage muscle and joint pain. They can also reduce fever, making you feel more comfortable. Never give a child or teen aspirin if they have a virus. This can cause a serious condition called Reye syndrome. If there is a chance that you could have dengue fever instead of the Oropouche virus, don’t take any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or naproxen. If you aren’t sure what to take, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
If your symptoms worsen, aren’t relieved by these treatments, or last longer than a week, speak to your doctor as soon as possible to rule out anything more serious or a complication from the virus.
Oropouche Virus Complications
Most people who get the Oropouche virus fully recover, although it can take up to a month to feel completely better. However, about 4% of people who have the Oropouche virus develop serious complications from the infection. These complications include:
- Meningitis, which is inflammation of the meninges, the protective layers that surround your brain and spinal cord
- Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain
Symptoms of these complications include:
- Severe pain in the back of your neck
- Stiff neck
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Lethargy (feeling weak, sluggish)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Uncontrolled eye movements, called nystagmus
These are serious illnesses, so if you experience any of these symptoms while or after having a viral infection like the Oropouche virus, seek medical help right away.
Oropouche Virus Prevention
Since there’s no cure or treatment for Oropouche infection, it’s important to take steps to prevent infected insects from biting you. Here are some tips:
- Check the Travelers’ Health section on the CDC website to see where there are Oropouche virus outbreaks.
- Use insect repellents. Be careful and choose an insect repellent that is Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered. Check the label to be sure they protect against flies, biting flies, or culicoides (biting midges, punkies, granny nippers, and no-see-ums).
- Try to ensure you have good screens on the windows and doors where you are staying. Biting midges are very tiny, so the screens must have small mesh on them.
- Bring (and use) a mosquito net to protect yourself while sleeping outside or while in a room that has no window screens.
- Wear protective clothing, covering as much skin as possible.
- Consider using clothing and tents that have been treated with insect repellent.
Keep preventing insect bites for 3 weeks after you return from your trip in case you became infected and you don’t know it. This way, you can’t get bitten and spread the infection to others.
Takeaways
Oropouche virus, or sloth fever, is still found mostly in a few countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. However, travelers can bring it home if they become infected while in those countries. Most people who get Oropouche virus recover completely, but a small number of people who are infected can have serious complications like meningitis or encephalitis. Prevention is key – protect yourself from midge and mosquito bites as much as possible.
Oropouche Virus FAQs
What is the mortality rate of Oropouche fever?
Most people who get Oropouche fever completely recover. A small number of people, about 4%, develop serious complications like meningitis or encephalitis. Very few deaths from the virus have been reported.
What is the life cycle of the Oropouche virus?
Once bitten by an infected insect, it can take from 4 to 8 days for the symptoms to appear. The symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a week. Some people don’t feel completely well again for about a month.
What is the incubation period of Oropouche fever?
It can take anywhere from 4 to 8 days for the symptoms to start after you’ve been bitten by an insect infected with the Oropouche virus.
What is the disease in Cuba in 2024?
In May 2024, there were reports of people in Cuba contracting Oropouche fever. This was the first time the Oropouche virus was found in Cuba.
What is the rare Oropouche virus?
Oropouche virus is an infection that was discovered in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1950s. Since then, it’s slowly spread to countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Which countries have Oropouche fever?
You can find the most up-to-date travel recommendations and warnings about Oropouche virus at the Travelers’ Health section on the CDC website. Oropouche fever has been found in several countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, such as:
- Brazil
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Ecuador
- French Guyana
- Panama
- Peru
- Trinidad and Tobago
In mid-2024, there were some cases of Oropouche fever in Germany, Italy, and Spain, but they were in people who had recently returned from Cuba or Brazil.