The Pan American Health Organization has issued an epidemiological alert as Latin America experiences a rise in cases of the Oropouche virus, a little-known disease spread by midges and mosquitoes.
At least 8,078 confirmed Oropouche cases, including two fatal cases, have been reported in the Americas.
That’s 90% of all confirmed Oropouche cases in the Americas and a significant jump from the 832 cases Brazil reported last year.
Brazilian health officials who were conducting a study on four newborns with microcephaly found the babies already had antibodies against Oropouche virus.
Oropouche virus symptoms are similar to those of dengue, according to the CDC.
Persons:
PAHO, Oropouche, microcephaly
Organizations:
Pan American Health Organization, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, CDC, NBC
Locations:
America, Americas, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Brazil, Oropouche