Oropouche: How to Protect Yourself from the Disease That Has Increased 1000% in Brazil?

Oropouche: How to Protect Yourself from the Disease That Has Increased 1000% in Brazil?


Oropouche virus outbreak in Brazil should be a ‘warning signal,’ experts say


Summary

Oropouche virus outbreak in Brazil linked to deaths, miscarriages and birth defects.





Oropouche: How to protect yourself from the disease that has increased by 1000% in Brazil?:
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The deaths of two young women, miscarriages and birth defects in Brazil have been linked to the Oropouche virus, a little-known disease spread by black flies and mosquitoes. This year has seen a sudden increase in cases in the country: 7,284, compared to 832 in 2023. Many cases have been recorded in areas that had never seen the virus before.

By the end of July, a total of 8,078 cases had been confirmed in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Cuba, with doctors in the region urged to remain vigilant.

The world’s first known deaths, of two women aged 21 and 24 in Bahia, were announced by Brazil’s Ministry of Health on July 25. Both developed sudden symptoms — which could include fever, muscle pain and headache — that led to fatal bleeding. A potential third related death, of a 57-year-old man, is under investigation.

One of the deceased women had sought help twice at health facilities, but was discharged. Márcia São Pedro, director of epidemiological surveillance in Bahia, said: “I think this is related to the fact that people believe that everything is dengue. And because dengue is well known, they hydrate the patient and send him home. We have to understand that this is not the case. We are in a different situation now.”

In June, authorities reported that a pregnant woman lost her baby at 30 weeks gestation, with the Oropouche virus later detected in her umbilical cord and organ samples. A miscarriage at eight weeks gestation has also been linked to the virus.

Felipe Naveca, of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a health research institute linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and co-author of a study that found genetic changes in the form of Oropouche, said: “It has caused epidemics in the past, but nothing on the scale of this is happening now.

The virus is typically found in primates and sloths and can be transmitted to humans through the bites of some black flies and mosquitoes. A review published in The Lancet in January described Oropouche as a “prototypical neglected disease” and warned of significant gaps in medical and scientific knowledge about the virus, which “has the potential to emerge as a substantial threat.”

Oropouche, first detected in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955, tends to cause flu-like symptoms that last about a week. In some cases, the virus can cause serious complications, such as meningitis.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Oropouche, and the Pan American Health Organization has said people should focus on prevention. This includes covering arms and legs, using insect repellents containing Deet, IR3535, or icaridin, and using fine-mesh screens on doors, windows, and beds. Blackflies are much smaller than mosquitoes, so traditional mosquito nets do not protect against their bites.

Source: The Guardian

André Forastieri is a journalist and entrepreneur, founder of Homework and the content and connections agency Compasso, as well as a mentor to professionals and executives. Find out more aboutandreforastieri.com.br

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Source: Terra

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