About Oropouche

Overview

Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of infected biting midges. Some mosquitoes can also spread the virus. Most infected people will develop symptoms that can often reoccur.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Oropouche. The best way to protect yourself from Oropouche is to prevent bites from biting midges and mosquitoes.

There is no evidence that Oropouche virus has been spread in the United States. Oropouche virus has been found in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

• Before 2000, outbreaks of Oropouche virus were reported in Brazil, Panama, and Peru. Evidence of animals being infected was also noted in Colombia and Trinidad during this time.
• In the last 25 years, cases of Oropouche have been identified in many countries in the Amazon region, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, and Peru. In addition, one child was found to be infected in Haiti in 2014.
• In June 2024, Cuba reported its first confirmed Oropouche case.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and joint pain. Other symptoms can include sensitivity to light, dizziness, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Symptoms typically last less than a week (2–7 days) and can often reoccur a few days or even weeks later. Most people with Oropouche recover within several days to one month.

Some people (fewer than one in 20) will develop more serious disease including meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or bleeding. Death from Oropouche is rare.

The symptoms of Oropouche might be similar to symptoms of dengue, chikungunya, Zika, or malaria.

Infection during pregnancy

CDC is working with international partners to learn more about the potential risks of Oropouche virus infection during pregnancy. Brazil has reported a few possible cases of Oropouche virus being passed from a pregnant person to their fetus. It is not clear if infection with Oropouche virus was the cause of negative health outcomes for the fetus. These cases are under investigation.

Causes and spread

Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of an infected biting midge (Culicoides paraensis). Biting midges are small flies, often called “no-see-ums.” It can also be spread by some mosquitoes.

Prevention

The best way to protect yourself and your family from Oropouche is to prevent bites from biting midges and mosquitoes.

Testing and diagnosis

Talk to a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms like those caused by Oropouche and recently traveled to an area where Oropouche occurs or an area experiencing an Oropouche outbreak. Tell them about your travel history. Your healthcare provider can order laboratory tests to diagnose Oropouche.

Treatment

There are no medicines to treat Oropouche. Symptoms can be treated by getting rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, and taking over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain. Additional medical care or hospitalization might be needed to manage more severe symptoms.

Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding.