Health officials have warned travellers visiting South America to be “vigilant” after cases of a virus originating in sloths were reported in tourists returning to Europe for the first time.
The imported cases of Oropouche virus (OROV), most commonly found in South America and the Caribbean, were diagnosed in travellers who had recently visited Cuba, with one Italian patient diagnosed after visiting northern Brazil.
As of 1 August 2024, there were 8,078 confirmed cases of Oropouche fever in the region – reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, according to The Lancet.
Travel-associated cases of imported OROV disease in Europe reached 19 at the end of July. Spain reported 12 cases, Italy five and Germany two.
Common symptoms, similar to dengue and Zika virus, include headaches, muscle pain, nausea, a fever and a rash.
In July, the deaths of two young Brazilian women who had no other underlying health conditions were linked to the virus. These fatal outcomes were the first known deaths worldwide.
The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) said that the likelihood of infection for EU citizens travelling in affected areas is “moderate”.
Dr Richard Dawood, medical director and specialist in travel medicine at Fleet Street Clinic, told The Independent: “Oropouche tends to get diagnosed in people who get the more severe manifestations.
“The advice that is going out to countries where travellers are returning with cases tends to be if you test for dengue or Zika and, if it is neither of those, then test for Oropouche and it may well be that.”
How can travellers stay safe against the Oropouche virus?
Travellers are at the highest risk of infection if bitten by a midge – bugs most active after sunrise and before sunset.
The ECDC suggests protective measures, both when undertaking outdoor activities and inside houses, including the use of insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers and using fine-mesh mosquito bed nets when sleeping.
Dr Dawood said: “You are most at risk when you are travelling to an area with an active outbreak. At the moment that’s much of South America.
“In terms of what travellers can do to prevent it, general insect precautions apply – permethrin repellant and light long clothing will protect the covered up areas as midges cannot bite through them.”
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