PAHO urges increased surveillance for Oropouche fever in the Americas

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has urged countries to strengthen surveillance against Oropouche fever (OROV). PAHO said in 2024, the virus has been detected in areas where transmission had not been previously reported. Deaths associated with the infection were also reported, as were cases of vertical transmission.

Since the last PAHO epidemiological alert, issued on August 1, 2024, and up to September 6, 1,774 additional cases of Oropouche have been reported in six countries, increasing the total to 9,852 confirmed cases. Countries are encouraged to report any unusual events, and reinforce vector prevention and control measures. Brazil remains the most affected country with 7,931 cases and two deaths.

Other currently affected countries include Bolivia (356 cases), Colombia (74 cases), Cuba (506 cases), Peru (930 cases), and, more recently, the Dominican Republic (33 cases). Imported cases have also been recorded in the United States (21 cases) and Canada (1 case), following travel to endemic countries. Additionally, 30 imported cases have been documented in Europe. Regarding mother-to-child transmission, a total of one fetal death and one case of congenital anomaly have been confirmed in Brazil.