Rio’s Health Department investigates whether cases of oropouche fever were imported; know symptoms | Rio de Janeiro

Mosquito that transmits oropouche fever. Scott Bauer/Agricultural Research Service/United States Department of Agriculture/Disclosure

The Rio State Health Department is investigating whether the 10 new cases of oropouche fever in the state were imported from another state or whether there is local transmission of the disease in Rio. The infections occurred between the 9th and 18th of this month. There were five people infected in Piraí, one in Valença and four others divided between the city of Rio and Japeri.

• Understand disease, similar to dengue

Oropouche fever is not a common disease in Rio and is generally transmitted by the maruim mosquito, characteristic of the northern region of the country. However, studies are being carried out to discover whether the mosquito, very common in Rio, can also transmit the disease.

The first case of oropouche fever infection in Rio was registered in February, when a resident of the Humaitá neighborhood, in the South Zone of the capital, was reportedly infected on a trip to Amazonas, a state that was experiencing an outbreak of the disease. The 42-year-old man did not need to be hospitalized and recovered from the illness.

What are the symptoms of oropouche fever?

The symptoms of oropouche fever are very similar to those of dengue fever. They last between two and seven days and include fever sudden onset, intense headache, back and lower back pain It is joint pain.

There may also be cough, dizziness, pain behind the eyes, skin rashes, chills, photophobia, nausea It is vomiting.

What is the treatment of oropouche fever?

There is no specific treatment. Patients must remain in restwith symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring.

Therefore, the secretariat asks doctors to ask, at the first consultation, whether the patient has traveled to the northern region of the country recently, where the number of cases of oropouche fever has grown significantly in the first months of 2024. Patients must also provide this information in order to contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

* Under the supervision of Matheus Carrera