21 Travel-Related Oropouche Virus Disease Cases in the U.S.

The U.S. CDC's Early Release Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on August 27, 2024, revealed that 21 Oropouche virus disease cases among U.S. travelers returning from Cuba have been reported this year.

At least three patients had recurrent symptoms after the initial illness, a common characteristic of Oropouche virus disease.

Most of these cases (20) were people in Florida.

The CDC recently published a Level 1 Travel Health Notice to alert travelers regarding Oropouche outbreaks in the Americas Region and Europe (19).

From December 2023 to June 2024, large Oropouche virus disease outbreaks were recognized in areas with known endemic diseases, and the virus emerged in new places in South America and Cuba where it had not been historically reported.

This year, cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru.

From 2015 to 2022, only 261 cases of Oropouche fever were recorded in Brazil. However, as of August 6, 2024, Brazil confirmed 7,497 cases. However, the infectious rate has recently diminished.

The CDC says clinicians and public health jurisdictions should be aware of Oropouche virus disease in U.S. travelers and request testing for suspected cases.

In Florida, the Department of Health identified suspected Oropouche cases primarily by reviewing patients who received negative dengue test results and had visited countries such as Cuba.

Reported symptoms commenced during May–July and most commonly included fever (95%), myalgia, headache, fatigue or malaise, and arthralgia.

Travelers should prevent insect bites when traveling, and pregnant persons should consider deferring travel to areas experiencing outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease, says the CDC.

As of August 28, 2024, there are no approved vaccines to prevent Oropouche virus disease.