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08/22/2024: Lab Advisory: CDC Issues Alert for Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers
Audience: Clinical Laboratory Professionals
Level: Laboratory Advisory
On August 16, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about an increase in Oropouche virus disease in the Americas region. Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of infected midges and some mosquitoes. The HAN also raises awareness of possible risk of vertical transmission of the virus from pregnant people to the fetus, associated with fetal death or congenital abnormalities.
The virus is endemic to the Amazon basin and between January 1 and August 1, 2024, more than 8,000 cases were reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Columbia, and Cuba, including 2 deaths and 5 cases of vertical transmission. Travel-associated cases in travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil have been identified in both the United Statues and Europe in 2024. Although 11 travel-associated cases have been identified in the United States, there is currently no evidence of local transmission within the U.S. or its territories. Pregnant people are currently recommended to reconsider non-essential travel to areas with an Oropouche virus Level 2 Travel Health Notice.
This Health Advisory advises on evaluating and testing travelers from impacted areas who show signs and symptoms consistent with Oropouche virus infection. Contact your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department (or the 24-hour Epi-On-Call Contact List) for more information and to facilitate testing. While Oropouche virus disease is not a nationally notifiable condition, CDC encourages jurisdictions to voluntarily report to ArboNET, the national arboviral disease surveillance system.
Please review the HAN for more information, including information about laboratory diagnosis and recommendations for healthcare providers, health departments, and travelers.
We encourage you to share this message widely with your network(s).
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Online Resources
- Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers | HAN
- About Oropouche | Oropouche | CDC
- Clinical Overview of Oropouche Virus Disease | Oropouche | CDC
- Interim Guidance for Health Departments on Testing and Reporting for Oropouche Virus Disease | Oropouche | CDC
- Interim Clinical Considerations for Pregnant People with Confirmed or Probable Oropouche Virus Disease | Oropouche | CDC
- ArboNET | Mosquitoes | CDC
- Travel Health Notices | Travelers’ Health | CDC
- Health Department Directories | Public Health Gateway | CDC
- After Hours/Epi-on-Call Contact Lists | CSTE
Questions?
- If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
- For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
- For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.
Thank you,
The Laboratory Outreach Communication System
Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)
Center for Laboratory Systems and Response (CLSR)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)