A mysterious pathogen: Oropouche virus more common in Latin America than previously thought

German scientists are presenting a study with new findings in Vienna. A wave of diseases is now raging again in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Head, muscle and joint pains, nausea and diarrhea – the Oropouche virus has symptoms such as dengue fever. In Latin America, the number of diseases has increased sharply. Researchers advise travellers to be careful.

Head and limb pain, chills: Individual cases of oropouche fever also occurred in Germany: in returnees from Latin America. There the virus is much more widespread than known.

The number of infections caused by the Oropuche virus, which is transmitted by insect bites, is underestimated in Latin America and is likely to increase due to climatic factors, such as changing temperatures or precipitation.

A mysterious pathogen: Oropouche virus more common in Latin America than previously thought

Like the dengue and Zika viruses, Oropouche virus causes a febrile illness. There are recent indications that infections during pregnancy can cause damage to unborn babies. Researchers have now determined that the virus is much more widespread in Latin America than previously assumed. Their study also suggests that climatic conditions have a significant influence on the virus's spread.

Dengue is a constant threat in the Guatemalan population, so the Ministry of Health called for extreme measures to prevent contagion. The current season is characterized by an intense mobilization of people to different parts of the country, which increases the possibility of getting sick of dengue, reported the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS). Also read: Hundreds of Guatemalans celebrate The Review, in the Historical Sce…