U.K. Advises Avoiding Peru's Oropouche and Yellow Fever Outbreaks

The U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) recently issued a travel alert advising against all but essential travel to parts of Peru.

As of September 29, 2024, the FCDO posted new information regarding the Oropouche virus disease (OROV) and Yellow Fever outbreaks this year.

There is also a risk of infection when visiting Peru with Malaria and Zika virus through mosquito bites.

Over 2 million people visit Peru annually, visiting places such as Machu Picchu.

To alert international travelers to these health risks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reissued a Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Advisory on September 25, 2024. The CDC advisory states that Oropouche fever is spread through the bites of infected midges (flies) and Culicoides paraenesis mosquitoes.

Seperately, a Level 2 Travel Health Notice has been issued for Oropouche outbreaks in Cuba.

While there are no specific medications or vaccines to prevent OROV, the risk of infection can be minimized by following bite avoidance measures when visiting areas with the infection. Treatment for Oropouche virus disease is supportive.

The FCDO and the U.S. CDC recommend that visitors to Yellow Fever endemic areas such as Peru and Brazil be vaccinated.

In the U.S., Sanofi Pasteur's YF-VAX® vaccine is offered at certified travel clinics and pharmacies.