Oropouche virus, a disease similar to Zika that spreads in the Americas, has been detected in Europe for the first time. Cases have been reported in Spain, Italy, and Germany, all involving travelers returning from Cuba or Brazil. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed 19 cases between June and July.
Spread through bites from midges and certain mosquito species, Oropouche virus typically causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, light sensitivity, eye pain, vomiting, and rash. In a small percentage of cases (around 4%), the virus can affect the nervous system, leading to inflammation around the spinal cord and brain. Most individuals recover within days or a month.
However, recent reports from Brazil suggest a potential link between Oropouche virus and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Several cases involving possible mother-to-fetus transmission during pregnancy have been reported, with some linked to pregnancy loss and microcephaly. While these reports are concerning, the link between Oropouche virus and poor pregnancy outcomes remains unconfirmed due to limited data. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organization are actively investigating this potential risk.
While the virus doesn’t spread directly from person to person, it is spread through midges and mosquitoes. Since the midges that transmit the virus are not found in Europe, the risk of catching the virus locally is considered very low. However, the ECDC warns that the risk of contracting the disease while traveling to affected areas is “moderate”. They recommend travelers to areas where Oropouche virus is present take precautions, such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and using insecticide-treated bed nets. Currently, there is no vaccine for Oropouche virus.
The potential risks of Oropouche virus during pregnancy are still being investigated, but the ECDC emphasizes that the same safety precautions recommended for Zika virus are relevant to preventing Oropouche virus infection. This is because both viruses spread in similar areas and can pose risks to pregnant women.
The nickname “sloth virus” or “sloth fever” sometimes used to refer to Oropouche virus stems from the possibility of pale-throated sloths being a key animal host for the virus. However, the main animal hosts of the virus have not been definitively identified, although various wild birds and primates, such as capuchin and howler monkeys, are also suspected.
