Oropouche: This is the virus that has caused several deaths in Brazil and has already reached Spain

He oropouche virus This is not new. In fact, it was first described in 1955. However, in 2024, there was such an increase in cases worldwide that health authorities are concerned about its progression in the future. It is a virus typical of tropical areas of Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean islands. However, this outbreak has led to the emergence of several cases in Europe for the first time. especially to Spain.

According to the latest report from the European Centre for Disease Control, published last week, 19 cases in Europe12 of them are in Spain. However, there are currently at least 14 in Spain, after new cases were identified in Canary Islands. All of them occurred in travelers who had recently arrived from Cuba or Brazilwhere most infections are currently concentrated.

Almost all people infected with the oropouche virus survive the disease without problems. However, in some cases, fatal complications can occur. This is what happened to two young Brazilian girls who died after the virus caused fatal bleeding. With the death of these two girls added to their spread to other parts of the world, concerns about their evolution continue to grow. Indeed, at the moment, there does not seem to be any reason to fear a major epidemic, much less a pandemic, but it is necessary to be on guard.

All about the Oropush virus

Oropouche virus is arthropod-borne pathogenmainly mosquitoes. It is considered the second most common mosquito-borne virus in South America. after dengue.

In your case, the symptoms are very similar to the flu: fever, headache, muscle pain, dizziness, chills… It is also characterized by sensitivity to light and, in some cases, a skin rash. There is no cough, sneezing or mucus, so it is easy to distinguish from the flu. In countries where it occurs, it can be confused with dengue.

The incubation period is normal from 4 to 8 daysalthough it can be extended to 3-12 days. The duration of symptoms usually does not go beyond 7 daysalthough in some cases they can persist for several weeks. As with other viruses, there is no treatment, but one is usually not needed, as the immune system itself destroys the oropouche virus.

The problem is that in some cases the pathogen can penetrate the nervous system and get into the brain, overcoming the blood-brain barrier and causing meningitis. There may be other, rarer complications, such as those that ended the lives of two young Brazilian women. These are very rare, so there is no need to panic, but it is important to know.

How is it transmitted?

Oropouche virus is transmitted primarily through mosquitoes and some small flies, commonly known as mosquitoes.

There are two biological cycles: one jungle and one cityIn the first case, the two main transmitters are mosquitoes of the genus Culex And Aedes, while in urban areas, mosquito-borne transmission is more common.

As is often the case with other viruses, there are animals in the jungle cycle that act as reservoirs, as the viruses can multiply and remain there without causing many symptoms. In this case, it seems that the most common reservoirs are black-brush marmoset, three-toed sloth and possibly some birds.

Transmitted to humans from animals and through mosquitoes as a vector, it can also be transmitted from person to person, but always through an insect as an intermediary.

Why have cases of oropouscha increased so much?

The oropouche virus was discovered in 1955 in a forestry worker from the city of Oropouche Meadowin Trinidad. However, the first major outbreaks occurred in the 1960s, particularly in Brazil. Since then, it is thought that about half a million people have been infected worldwide, but mostly in the tropical regions mentioned above.

All this shows us that the Oropouche virus is not something new. But it is becoming increasingly alarming. You only have to look at the numbers. They have been registered in Brazil all of 2023. 832 cases of infection. However, already in 2024 they were diagnosed more than 7000 cases.

The reasons for such spread of the disease are apparently mainly climate change and deforestation. For the first reason Floods and rising temperaturesproviding an ideal environment for mosquito larvae to develop. As for deforestation, it also leads to the extinction or displacement of some animal species. Mosquitoes lack wild animals to feed on, so they bite even more people, transmitting pathogens such as the oropouche virus.

There may also have been mutations that they have increased their infectivity, but this has yet to be demonstrated. It is not a serious disease, but there are plenty of reasons to take precautions and repel mosquitoes as much as possible when traveling to these areas.