Oropouche virus kills 2 in Brazil: Warning signs you must know; prevention tips to follow

Mosquito-borne illnesses are on the rise across the globe from dengue to West Nile virus. A lesser-known disease Oropouche virus is in news after it killed two young women from Bahia in Brazil - the first known deaths caused by the virus, as confirmed by Brazil's health ministry on Thursday. Oropouche virus is spread by bites of midges, a kind of small flies, though it can also be spread via mosquitoes.The pathogen also spreads through mosquitoes like Culex quinquefasciatus, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, and Aedes serratus mosquitoes. It cannot be spread from person to person.
The virus causes sudden onset of fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, joint pain, and shares many of its symptoms with mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue. However, rarely it can cause complications like nosebleeds, gum bleeding or meningoencephalitis.

Oropouche virus may have been brought from a forested area into an urban environment by an infected person. Oropouche virus's origin can be traced back to Trinidad and Tobago where it was first detected in the year 1955, with the initial epidemic occurring in Belem, Brazil, in 1961. Since then, it has been associated with significant outbreaks and sporadic cases in tropical regions including Brazil, Peru, Panama, Haiti, Colombia, and French Guiana.
In recent years, the cases of this virus have been on rise. This year more than 7,700 cases of Oropouche virus have been detected in five countries namely Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Cuba and Colombia. Brazil particularly has seen a massive uptick with 7,236 cases in 2024, according to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The virus has also been spreading its wings in parts of South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Here's all you want to know about the symptoms of the virus and the prevention tips:

The disease typically begins four to eight days after a midge bite.
"Symptoms of Oropouche virus disease include an abrupt onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle pain (myalgias), joint pain (arthralgias), retro-orbital pain, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and a rash," says Dr Ajay Agarwal, Senior Director - Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Noida.
Symptoms generally last for about four to five days, though there have been cases where symptoms recurred up to ten days after initial recovery. Hemorrhagic manifestations such as petechiae, nosebleeds (epistaxis), and gum bleeding (gingival bleeding) have been reported in about 16% of patients. Additionally, meningoencephalitis has been observed in a small number of cases.
"It is important to seek medical care if symptoms worsen or if there are signs of severe complications such as confusion, seizures, or severe headache, which may indicate neurological involvement," says Dr. Mohan Kumar Singh, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram.


There is no cure for Oropouche so far with no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines available for the disease. To manage the disease, one should focus on controlling the symptoms with analgesics, antipyretics, and with adequate hydration.

Since Oropouche fever spreads via a midge or mosquito bite, one must use insect repellent in the areas it is spreading. Wearing full-sleeved clothes to cover legs and arms can help prevent or minimize bites, which can help reduce risk of infection.
Preventive measures include using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and minimizing exposure to areas with high midge activity to reduce the risk of infection.