Europe has been hit with its inaugural cases of the Oropouche virus, a virus akin to Zika and carrying serious health risks, particularly for expectant mothers. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) disclosed that in the months of June and July, there were a total of 19 cases of Oropouche virus (OROV) in EU countries, with Spain tallying the highest at 12, trailed by Italy with 5, and Germany with 2. All these cases were tied to recent travel to Cuba and Brazil.
Symptoms of OROV encompass fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle and joint pains. However, for pregnant women, the virus poses an even graver risk, potentially leading to miscarriage, developmental problems, and fetal deformities, echoing the link between the Zika virus and microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with smaller heads. The threat of OROV has been emphasized in Brazil where four cases of microcephaly linked to the virus were reported. The country was also plagued with over 3,500 cases of infant microcephaly during a major outbreak in 2015 and 2016.
Regrettably, there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for OROV. Although the virus is not usually fatal, Brazil recently reported the first two deaths caused by OROV.
The outbreak of Oropouche virus in Europe is directly related to travel to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, with over 8,000 cases reported. Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Cuba are among the countries affected by the virus.
Despite the risk for European citizens traveling to these affected areas, the ECDC noted that the likelihood of human exposure to OROV in Europe remains very low, as the specific midges and mosquitoes that carry the virus are not present on the continent, and there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission to date.
It is also worth mentioning that Europe is witnessing an uptick in cases of mosquito-borne diseases like the West Nile virus, with recent detections in Greece and Romania.
It is crucial for everyone, especially pregnant women and travelers, to stay informed about the risks associated with Oropouche virus and take necessary precautions. European health agencies will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the public.
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