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Yet another virus fever in Brazil
Monday, 10 August, 2009
More than 650 cases of Oropouche virus infection were confirmed in the municipalitiy of Mazagao, located in the south of the Amazonia state. The cases have attracted attention not just for the high number of patients of this disease, but also because it has been at least 5 years since there has been an epidemic of Oropouche fever in Amazonia. The prefecture has initiated cleanup action in areas that are foci of the virus carrier which are biting midges (Culicoides spp.) The 1st cases of Oropouche fever occurred in the state in March this year [2009], but have intensified in the last 3 months. Acute fever, intense headache, skin rash, joint and muscle pain are symptoms that can appear in the course of a patient's disease. The duration of Oropouche fever in the human body can last up to 7 days.
The oropouche virus is the 2nd most frequent cause of arbovirus fever in Brazil,and there are records of events in Panama, Peru, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
From a practical point of view oropouche fever is very similar to dengue fever and prevention relies on the liberal use of insect repellents.
