The Oropouche fever (OF), a tropical virus transmitted by mosquitoes, has now reached Germany for the first time following its occurrence in Italy. Vacationers returning from Cuba brought the illness to Saxony and Baden-Württemberg. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported this in its current “Epidemiological Bulletin”.
What symptoms are there?
These cases are the first known infections with the virus in Germany. Both patients developed fever, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, and bodily aches while still in Cuba. During the subsequent examination in Germany, typical antibodies against the Oropouche virus were detected. The course of the illness was uncomplicated in both patients.
What happens to the body with Oropouche fever?
Oropouche fever is a disease caused by a virus that is primarily transmitted by the Culicoides paraenses mosquito, but is also spread by other species. Both animals such as monkeys or sloths and humans can be the main hosts during transmission.
The symptoms resemble those of dengue and chikungunya fever: headaches, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and diarrhea. In rare cases, the courses can be severe. There is no specific treatment.
How deadly is the Oropouche virus?
Oropouche fever usually course uncomplicated and rarely leads to severe complications. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, and bodily aches, which usually subside after a few days. Fatalities are extremely rare and primarily occur in individuals with weakened immune systems or preexisting conditions. Therefore, the Oropouche virus is considered to be of low lethality and usually results in a self-limiting illness.
Has the virus already reached Austria?
So far, there are no official reports of an outbreak in Austria. Since Germany is affected as a neighboring country, it is expected that there are already cases in Austria as well.
Pregnancy: Investigations ongoing
In Brazil, six cases with potential impacts on unborn children are currently being investigated. Health authorities are conducting analyses to determine whether there is a connection between Oropouche fever and cases of malformations or miscarriages.
According to the Pan American Health Organization, the Oropouche virus was discovered for the first time in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. In Brazil, it was identified for the first time in 1960 from a blood sample of a sloth, according to the health ministry. Since then, isolated cases and localized outbreaks have been reported mainly in the states of the Amazon region.
In 2024, a total of 7,236 cases of Oropouche fever were registered in 20 Brazilian states. Cases and outbreaks have also been reported in other Central and South American countries such as Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, it was stated.