Key points
- Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of infected biting midges. Some mosquitoes can also spread the virus.
- There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Oropouche.
- The best way to protect yourself from Oropouche is to prevent bug bites.
- While no spread of Oropouche through sex has been identified, consider the prevention recommendations below.
Prevention tips
Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of an infected biting midge. Biting midges are small flies, often called “no-see-ums.” It can also be spread by some mosquitoes, including Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, which can also spread West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses.
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 in areas where the virus is known to occur, including several countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Learn where outbreaks of Oropouche are occurring in the Americas.
Use insect repellent
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective. Look for EPA-registered repellents labeled for flies, biting flies, or Culicoides (biting midges, punkies, granny nippers, and no-see-ums). Prevent bites while traveling if you'll be going to an area with Oropouche virus.
Prevent bites after travel
Use window and door screens
- Many commonly used window and door screens do not have holes small enough to prevent biting midges from getting inside.
- To prevent biting midges from entering your home, look for mesh screens measuring 20x20.
Use a fan when outdoors
When possible, use fans to help blow biting midges away when spending time outdoors.
For blood donors
- If you have recently been diagnosed with Oropouche, let your blood center know. Blood donors must be healthy and well on the day of donation, and in some people it might take time to clear the virus from their blood. Until more is known, consider waiting 4 weeks after your illness resolves to donate blood.
- If you were diagnosed with Oropouche shortly after giving blood, tell your blood center.
How to prevent possible spread through sex
A recent scientific report describes the first time Oropouche virus was found in semen of a patient who had Oropouche, which raises concern about the possible risk of sexual transmission. No cases of sexual transmission of Oropouche virus have been reported. However, virus in semen has been associated with sexual transmission of other infectious diseases.
Because stillbirths, birth defects, and severe complications and deaths in adults have been reported, CDC is providing interim recommendations on preventing possible sexual transmission based on what we know now. These interim recommendations for male travelers to an area with a Level 1 or 2 Travel Health Notice for Oropouche will allow people and their healthcare providers to make informed decisions about their health.
Male travelers diagnosed with Oropouche
You should use condoms or not have sex for at least 6 weeks from the start of your symptoms
Male travelers with symptoms of Oropouche during or within 2 weeks of returning from travel
- You should talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should be tested for Oropouche.
- You can consider using condoms or not having sex for at least 6 weeks from the start of your symptoms.
Male travelers diagnosed with or possibly exposed to Oropouche virus and plan to donate semen
- Until more is known, you should wait at least 6 weeks from the start of your symptoms to donate or if you had no symptoms, consider waiting 6 weeks after returning from travel.
- You can talk to your donation center to find out about your eligibility to donate.
- For more information, please see FDA's communication regarding Oropouche virus and considerations for donor eligibility determinations for human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps).
Other considerations
Interim considerations for all travelers to an area with a Level 1 or 2 Travel Health Notice for Oropouche:
- Given the limited information on the risk of possible spread through sex, including the unknown of whether virus may be present in vaginal fluid, any travelers and their partners who are concerned about possibly getting or passing Oropouche virus through sex, can consider using condoms or not having sex during travel and for 6 weeks after returning from travel.
- Testing semen, vaginal fluids, or urine is not available or recommended to determine how likely a person is to pass Oropouche virus through sex.