The confirmation of the death of a patient from Apucarana who had been diagnosed with oropouche fever generated concern in the city. The victim is a 57-year-old man who died on April 15. What disease is this that now also causes deaths in the municipality? Learn more about the disease below
The 16th Health Region (RS), in Apucarana, is investigating whether the cause of death was actually oropouche fever or another complication. The agency also finds out whether he recently traveled to northern states, such as Pará, Rondônia and Amazonas, where the disease has more cases. The only information so far is from a trip to Santa Catarina, where there are no records of the disease.
-READ MORE: Patient from Apucarana who contracted oropouche fever died on April 15; know more
He worked as a sales representative and was diagnosed after seeking care in Lagoão, due to symptoms initially related to dengue. The man was admitted to Providência Hospital. His name was not disclosed.
This Thursday morning (25), a meeting at the 16th Health Region of Apucarana discussed the measures that will be taken.
The number of cases of oropouche fever quadrupled in Brazil this year. While 832 cases of the disease were recorded in 2023, the Ministry of Health (MS) counted 3,354 in just the first fifteen weeks of 2024.
Of this year’s total, 2,538 of the cases are in residents of Amazonas, followed by Rondônia (574), Acre (108), Pará (29) and Roraima (18). Outside the North region, Bahia (31), Mato Grosso (11), São Paulo (7), Rio de Janeiro (6) and Paraná (6) were the States with the highest number of records of the disease.
What is it
Oropouche Fever (OF) is a disease caused by an arbovirus (porarthropod transmit virus) of the genus Orthobunyavirus, of the Peribunyaviridae family. Orthobunyavirus oropoucheense (OROV) was isolated for the first time in Brazil in 1960, from a blood sample from a sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) captured during the construction of the Belém-Brasília highway. Since then, isolated cases and outbreaks have been reported in Brazil, mainly in states in the Amazon region. Cases and outbreaks have also been reported in other countries in Central and South America (Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela).
Streaming
Oropouche Fever is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes. After biting an infected person or animal, the virus remains in the mosquito’s blood for a few days. When this mosquito bites another healthy person, it can transmit the virus to them. The Culicoides paraenses mosquito, known as maruim or sandfly, is considered the main transmitter in this cycle.
There are two types of disease transmission cycles:
Wild Cycle: In this cycle, animals such as sloths and monkeys are the hosts of the virus. Some types of mosquitoes, such as Coquilletti diavenezuelensis and Aedes serratus, can also carry the virus. The Culicoides paraenses mosquito, known as maruim or sandfly, is considered the main transmitter in this cycle.
Urban Cycle: In this cycle, humans are the main hosts of the virus. The Culicoides paraenses mosquito is also the main vector. The Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, commonly found in urban environments, can occasionally transmit the virus as well.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Oropouche Fever are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya: headache, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea and diarrhea. In this sense, it is important that professionals in the area of health surveillance are able to differentiate these diseases through clinical, epidemiological and laboratory aspects and guide prevention and control actions.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Oropouche Fever is clinical, epidemiological and laboratory. Every case diagnosed with OROV infection must be reported. FO is part of the list of compulsory notification diseases, classified among immediately notifiable diseases, due to its epidemic potential and high capacity for mutation, which can become a threat to public health.
Treatment
Important: There is no specific treatment. Patients must remain at rest, with symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring.
Prevention
It is recommended: Avoid areas where there are many mosquitoes, if possible. Wear clothing that covers most of the body and apply repellent to exposed areas of the skin. Keep the house clean, removing possible mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water and accumulated leaves. If there are confirmed cases in your region, follow guidance from local health authorities to reduce the risk of transmission, such as specific mosquito control measures.
Important: In case of suspicious symptoms, seek medical help immediately and report your potential exposure to the disease.
