CDC Issues Alert for Oropouche Virus

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert and a travel advisory for Cuba due to a surge in Oropouche virus disease across the Americas. The disease has resulted in two fatalities this year, with over 8,000 reported cases in countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba. The virus, transmitted primarily through bites from infected midges and possibly mosquitoes, has also been linked to five cases of fetal death or congenital abnormalities. Despite the alarming rise in cases, the CDC has confirmed that there has been no local transmission of the virus within the United States. However, several travel-associated cases have been documented in both the U.S. and Europe. The agency advises clinicians and health officials to consider Oropouche virus in patients who have traveled to affected regions within two weeks of symptom onset. Travelers are urged to adhere strictly to prevention guidelines if travel is necessary. Symptoms of the Oropouche virus typically manifest in about 60% of infected individuals, presenting as severe headaches, fever, muscle and joint pain, and other flu-like symptoms within three to ten days post-infection. While most recover within a month, a small percentage may experience severe complications, including meningitis and internal bleeding. The virus, which has a genetic structure similar to that of COVID-19, is capable of rapid mutation, raising concerns about the emergence of more transmissible strains.