The Oropouche virus, also identified as Sloth fever, is a viral disease carried through mosquitoes
that recently has been very much in the spotlight. Originating from tropical forests, this virus has
become recognized as being responsible for huge outbreaks both in the Amazon region and in
other areas.
First isolated in 1955 from Trinidad, it took the name of a village and surrounding wetlands. The
symptoms of Oropouche fever: fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and arthralgia, thus all symptoms
make it indistinguishable from other diseases caused by mosquitoes, such as dengue and
chikungunya fever virus.
Whereas the majority of instances of Oropouche fever clear within a matter of days to a month,
the most severe instances may result in meningitis, encephalitis, and bleeding. Regrettably, there
is no vaccine currently available for the treatment of Oropouche infection, and prevention is thus
entirely dependent on avoidance of bug bites.
The current outbreaks have involved South America and the Caribbean, with over 8,000 reported
local cases in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. Many people who have traveled to
these regions have been diagnosed with the virus, prompting warnings by health officials.
It is majorly transmitted through infected midges and mosquitoes in the forests, whose
transmission is facilitated by sloths, birds, and rodents. Due to this, the virus has also been
termed “Sloth fever.” Pale-throated sloths are believed by scientists to act as the virus reservoir,
retransmitting between mosquitoes and non-human primates.
It develops concerns that Oropouche has the potential for wide dispersion because of its rapid
mutation and reassortment capabilities. That means the virus could rapidly change genetic
material, a fact that will make tracking more cumbersome and prediction even more complex.
Furthermore, officials are investigating reports of possible transmissions from a pregnant woman
to her fetus, drawing parallels to the Zika virus outbreak. This has called for advisories against
traveling into the affected areas, especially by pregnant women.
These recent US and European cases have been associated with travel to Cuba, emphasizing the
need for prevention on visits to countries where the virus is circulating. Health officials
recommend insect repellants, wearing protective clothes, and staying in air-conditioned or
screened areas to reduce exposure.
The Oropouche virus is an enigmatic and, thus, probably dangerous disease. Besides cases
caused by atypical clinical agents, the greater part of infections improve by themselves. Serious
complications may appear, and in the absence of vaccine protection, prevention is necessary.
Knowledge of the pattern of transmission of the virus and necessary precautions enable us to
reduce infection risks and protect not just ourselves but others.
Credit: The article is based on information from business-standard
