US CDC Reported 21 Cases of Oropouche Virus Coming From Cuba

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 21 cases of Oropouche virus among US travelers coming from Cuba. The cases were reported on August 16.

Most patients showed symptoms of the Oropouche between May and July and returned from Cuba during these months. The age of the patients is from 15 to 94 years.

Three patients were hospitalized who showed the symptoms while no deaths were recorded. The news was confirmed by the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The report did not specify the deaths of any pregnant patients. However, in Brazil, stillbirths and congenital abnormalities have been registered, and among the infants in utero.

Oropouche infection is believed to spread through bites of midges and some mosquitoes that are usually found in tropical forest regions. Symptoms of this disease include headache, fever, joint pains, and muscle aches. In other cases, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting have also been noticed. However, the medical experts affirmed that the virus is not fatal.

The 21 cases returning from Cuba have been the only ones that are reported till now. There is a risk that the virus might spread as a similar situation is witnessed in Cuba.

Oropouche virus disaster in Cuba

Due to the ongoing economic crisis in Cuba, it has become hard to curb the spread of the Oropouche infection. Regular power outages have made it complicated to sleep peacefully during the night. They have to keep the windows open which makes it easier for such bugs and insect to invade homes during the night. Taking care of the patients in the hospital due to insufficient electricity and improper sleep causes more trouble.

Few people in Cuba do have access to insect repellents, however, the rest are vulnerable to getting infected with this virus at a faster rate.

Since few people gave insect repellents, the fuel shortage problem minimizes the overall fumigation efforts, which remain inadequate to stop the spread of the virus.   

Cuba officials began reporting the first cases of this virus in May and informed that the virus is more prone to spread from rural areas to urban regions. A top tourist destination, the capital Havana, is under great threat.

According to last week’s reports from Cuba’s health ministry, more than 400 cases have been confirmed Oropouche infection on the island in the running year. Reports from Havana have also suggested a considerable increase in cases recently.

US CDC generated a warning to clinicians and public health officials at the beginning of this month about a possible hit of the virus to America. Two deaths have already been verified so far this year.  

Since late last year, at least 8,000 locally confirmed cases of the Oropouche have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Peru and Columbia.

The authorities stated that they have no authentic treatment or vaccine for the virus at the moment.

US CDC is working on notifying people about the virus’s symptoms and how to stay protected against it. The rapid detection plan for the virus is being outlined that would help the health departments take control of the situation as soon as possible.

Testing of the suspected areas and patients that show similar symptoms would be convenient once the plan is devised, the CDC said. Recommendations related to diagnosis and managing people for the clinicians are on their way so that the spread of infection can be curbed.  

Further, the CDC suggested that people should protect themselves from insects or bug bites, especially when they are travelling. After their travel is over, they should stay vigilant for three weeks. Pregnant women should avoid travelling as it might turn into an outbreak.