The underdiagnosed threat of oropouche fever amidst dengue epidemics in Brazil

The underdiagnosed threat of oropouche fever amidst dengue epidemics in Brazil

2024 | Paulo Ricardo Martins-Filho, Roberto Fernandes Soares-Neto, Jerocilio Maciel de Oliveira-Júnior, and Clomar Alves dos Santos
Oropouche Fever (OF), caused by Oropouche Virus (OROV), is an emerging zoonotic arboviral disease with two primary transmission cycles: an urban cycle facilitated by *Culicoides* paraensis Goeldi mosquitoes and a more complex sylvatic cycle involving various arthropod species and reservoir hosts. First identified in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1950s, OF has expanded its reach to Central and South America, particularly the Amazon region, driven by environmental changes and human mobility. Clinical symptoms of OF closely resemble those of dengue and Chikungunya, making diagnosis challenging and requiring laboratory confirmation. Treatment is primarily supportive, emphasizing the need for prevention and control strategies. The recent confirmation of OF cases in Rio de Janeiro and a significant increase in Amazonas highlights the virus's spread beyond traditional hotspots. The concurrent dengue epidemic in Brazil, combined with limited diagnostic capabilities, suggests underdiagnosis of OF. This situation demands a coordinated response from authorities, healthcare teams, researchers, and the international community to develop effective testing protocols and implement informed prevention and control measures.Oropouche Fever (OF), caused by Oropouche Virus (OROV), is an emerging zoonotic arboviral disease with two primary transmission cycles: an urban cycle facilitated by *Culicoides* paraensis Goeldi mosquitoes and a more complex sylvatic cycle involving various arthropod species and reservoir hosts. First identified in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1950s, OF has expanded its reach to Central and South America, particularly the Amazon region, driven by environmental changes and human mobility. Clinical symptoms of OF closely resemble those of dengue and Chikungunya, making diagnosis challenging and requiring laboratory confirmation. Treatment is primarily supportive, emphasizing the need for prevention and control strategies. The recent confirmation of OF cases in Rio de Janeiro and a significant increase in Amazonas highlights the virus's spread beyond traditional hotspots. The concurrent dengue epidemic in Brazil, combined with limited diagnostic capabilities, suggests underdiagnosis of OF. This situation demands a coordinated response from authorities, healthcare teams, researchers, and the international community to develop effective testing protocols and implement informed prevention and control measures.
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