2024-08-13 20:21:27
A worrying virus is spreading in Latin America, and the first deaths have been recorded in Brazil. Is there also a danger for Europe?
Oropouche fever is unknown to many people, although the pathogen has been around for a long time. The first two deaths were recently officially reported. The virus mainly occurs in South and Central America – but is there a risk of it spreading to Europe?
In Bahia, a state in northeastern Brazil, two young women under the age of 30 have now died from the virus. Their symptoms were similar to those of severe dengue fever. But outbreaks are not only increasing in Brazil, but throughout South and Central America.
The virus is mainly transmitted by the Colicoides paraensis mosquito species, which does not exist outside of South America. However, other species can also transmit the virus. The symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to those of dengue or chikungunya fever: headache, muscle and joint pain, as well as nausea and diarrhea. Severe cases are rare and there is currently no specific treatment.
The pathogen was first discovered in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955. In Brazil, it was first identified in a blood sample from a sloth in 1960. Since then, there have been isolated cases and limited outbreaks, mainly in the Amazon region.
Climate change, deforestation and urbanization have favored the spread, so that now even more densely populated areas are affected, explains Marcus Lacerda from the Fiocruz research institute in the journal “Science”.
This year, around 7,500 cases have already been registered in 23 Brazilian states. Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba and Peru have also reported cases of Oropouche fever. Whether this is due to an actual spread or improved diagnostics remains unclear.
Brazilian health authorities are currently investigating possible deformities or miscarriages caused by Oropouche fever. A fetus recently died after the mother from Pernambuco was infected. Eight other cases are still being investigated. There are indications that the virus could cause malformations in unborn babies – similar to the Zika virus. Pregnant women are advised to avoid traveling to affected areas.
In Europe, only a few infections have been reported among returning travelers: Italy and Spain reported cases among travelers from Cuba and Brazil; two people from Saxony and Baden-Württemberg were also affected. Expert Helge Kampen considers transmission within Europe to be unlikely. There is no indication that European mosquito species could transmit the virus.
The virus requires so-called reservoir hosts such as certain monkeys or sloths, which do not exist in Europe. Therefore, further spread of the Oropouche virus in Germany is currently very unlikely.