18 Europeans Infected with Oropouche Virus Disease After Visiting Cuba

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) today alerted travelers and clinicians today about the risk of Oropouche virus disease, a zoonotic disease caused by the Oropouche virus (OROV).

The ECDC's Threat Assessment, published on August 9, 2024, reported that during June and July 2024, 19 imported cases of Oropouche virus disease were reported for the first time in EU countries: Spain (12), Italy (5) and Germany (2).

Eighteen of these cases had a travel history to Cuba and one to Brazil.

The principal vector (Culicoides paraensis midge) is widely distributed across the Americas but is absent in Europe. There has been a lack of evidence as to whether European midges or mosquitoes could transmit the virus.

In 2024, outbreaks of OROV disease were reported in several countries across South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The ECDC says this health risk is moderate for people traveling to or living in epidemic areas in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

However, it noted that the risk is higher for those visiting heavily affected areas, including Brazil's northern states and the Amazon region, and for those who don't take adequate protective measures.

Oropouche virus disease can manifest as an acute febrile illness with headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and occasionally more severe symptoms. The prognosis for recovery is good, and fatal outcomes are infrequent.

Recently, the Brazilian Ministry of Health reported six possible cases of OROV disease being passed from mother to child during pregnancy. The potential risk during pregnancy and fetopathic effects of OROV infection are still under investigation and have not been confirmed.

Furthermore, horizontal, human-to-human virus transmission has not been documented.

The ECDC says areas affected by OROV, such as Brazil, are also classified with current or previous Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission. Therefore, travel advice for pregnant women combines ZIKV and OROV warnings.

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines to prevent OROV or Zika diseases.