Whilst most individuals infected with Oropouche fever experience mild symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and rashes, it can occasionally lead to severe conditions like meningitis and encephalitis, which can be fatal. Moreover, there are indications that infection during pregnancy may result in miscarriage, termination and/or developmental issues, along with deformities in the fetus.
Now, cases have surfaced in Italy, with The Lancet reporting that two individuals hospitalised after visiting Cuba exhibited disease symptoms.
A 26-year-old woman was confirmed to have contracted the virus after displaying fever and diarrhoea post-visit to the Ciego de Avila province in Cuba, journeying back to Verona on May 26. In addition, symptoms began to manifest in a 45-year-old man subsequent to his summer travels to Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
After seeking medical attention on June 7 in Fori, northern Italy, he was treated. Furthermore, The Lancet has indicated reports of cases in Spain, speculating a connection to travel to Cuba.
Concerns were voiced by Dr Danny Altmann, a Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, who expressed alarm to the Telegraph: "We should definitely be worried," he declared. "Things are changing and may become unstoppable."
Despite half a million cases of Oropouche fever being recorded since the virus was discovered, there is still very limited knowledge about the disease, according to The Lancet.
This comes as Brazil reports the first fatalities from the virus worldwide, with two young women succumbing to the illness. The victims, aged 21 and 24, experienced severe abdominal pain, bleeding, and hypotension before tragically passing away on July 25.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is advising individuals to take measures to reduce their risk of insect bites. This includes: "The use of repellent in accordance with the instructions indicated on the product label, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers and using insecticide-treated fine mesh mosquito bed nets when resting."
"These measures are essential to provide protection against bites in rooms that are not adequately screened (with fine-mesh screens on doors and windows) or air-conditioned, and during outdoor activities."
Pregnant women travelling to infected areas are also being advised to reconsider their trip and remain cautious in such areas. The Lancet predicts that more cases will be reported 'in other areas' due to travellers contracting the illness.
"Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or specific therapies available or in development," the publication states. "Typical control interventions for vector-borne diseases such as insect repellents and mosquito nets might not be optimal to slow the spread of Oropouche virus: midges are very small and can pass through nets and they might be less affected by commonly used insect repellents."
"However, chemical insecticides such as deltamethrin and N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide have been demonstrated to be effective in controlling Culicoides and Culex species."
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