Galicia

The Oropouche virus has arrived in Spain. Coming from travelers from Cuba, the health authorities of the Caribbean country and several other Latin American countries have reported a significant increase in cases of this virus, of which our country has now begun to count the first cases.

The cases have been confirmed in residents in Galicia, Andalusia, Basque Country and Madrid, according to sources from the Health Ministry’s Health Alerts and Emergencies Coordination Centre (CCAES) reported to EFE.

This is a disease transmitted by the jején and the mosquito that has symptoms similar to dengueBut what is the reason for its danger? How can we prevent it and protect ourselves?

Oropouche virus (OROV), a zoonotic disease transmitted by mosquitoes

Oropouche virus (OROV), also called ‘Oropouche fever’ because of the symptoms it produces, is an arboviral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and midges.

According the World Health Organizationis transmitted specifically by the sting of the Culicoides paraensiscommonly known as at the signan insect found in wooded areas and near stagnant water, and certain mosquitoes A five-sided mosquito.

A virus that spreads through hosts, which can be animals (sylvatic cycle) and humans (epidemic cycle), according to health authorities.

The OROV is First discovered in 1955 in the Vega de Oropouche- Trinidad and Tobago. Since then, different outbreaks of the infection have been identified in rural and urban communities in Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Cuba and Peru, highlighting the urban outbreak in Belem-Brazil, in 1961 or the largest outbreak recorded, around 100,000 cases, which took place in the state of Para in 1980.

In 1992, it was first detected in Iquitos, Peru, producing 8 cases. It is estimated that since its discovery it has produced approximately half a million cases in Brazil, one of the most affected countries; however, the similarity with other arboviruses means that its real incidence is unknown.

How it is transmitted

In this case, the vector is a mosquito subtropical of the species Culicoides paraensiswhich can be found in different habitats (North America, South America, Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand). Its colour is brown, with its thorax and wings being darker than the rest of its body. It usually bites at night and feeds on blood..

This Oropouche virus infects us with the help of its ally, the mosquito of the species Culicoides paraensis. Or what is the same; It is not transmitted between humans directly without the help of mosquitoes.After an asymptomatic incubation period of four to eight days, it gives rise to a symptomatic picture that we call Oropuche Fever.

What are the symptoms of the Oropouche virus?

Oropouche virus disease manifests as an acute febrile illness, although the symptoms it produces are very nonspecific: high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue and general malaise. In addition, the painting can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and skin rashessimilar to Zika or dengue.

These symptoms usually last about 7 days. After these first days, some patients may present meningitis or encephalitis. Others may begin with recurrent symptoms after a month of acute infection that may last for several days. next 2-3 weeks.

Is there vaccination or treatment?

As such, There is no specific treatment or vaccine. for Oropouche. Other than rest and hydration, treatment of symptoms usually consists solely of medications to relieve symptomssuch as pain or fever.

If we suspect that we are incubating oropouche fever, it is recommended to consult an infectious disease specialist or a family doctor.