ES confirms new cases of Oropouche Fever. See the number by cities

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The State Department of Health (Sesa) confirmed new cases of Oropouche Fever, in Espírito Santo. According to the update published by the department, this Thursday afternoon (25), the number of diagnoses of the disease jumped from 12 to 18, in the last 48 hours.

Sesa reports that no deaths from the disease have been recorded in cities in Espírito Santo so far.

The cities with registered cases are:

– Colatina: 10 cases

– Victory: 2 cases

– Rio Bananal 2 cases

– Sooretama: 2 cases

– São Gabriel da Palha: 1 case

– Earth Orange: 1 case

What is Oropouche Fever

Oropouche Fever is a disease caused by an arbovirus (virus transmitted by arthropods) 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.

The vector of Oropouche fever is a very small insect, measuring one to three millimeters, popularly known as “maruim” or “powderfly”. Its color varies from gray to dark brown and it has short, wide wings. It is generally associated with regions with greater humidity and the presence of organic matter.

Among the characteristics of OROV, its high potential for transmission and dissemination stands out, with the capacity to cause outbreaks and epidemics in urban areas. There is no vaccine and specific treatment available.

How transmission occurs

There are two transmission cycles described: wild and urban. In the sylvan cycle, sloths and non-human primates (and possibly wild birds and rodents) act as hosts. There are records of OROV isolation in some species of mosquitoes, such as Coquillettidia venezuelensis and Aedes serratus.

However, the supposed primary vector is Culicoides paraensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), known as maruim or sandfly. In the urban cycle, man is the main host, and the primary vector is also C. paraensis. Eventually, the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito can transmit the virus in urban environments.

To date, there is no evidence of direct person-to-person transmission. After infection, the virus remains in the blood of infected individuals for 2-5 days after the first symptoms begin. The intrinsic incubation period of the virus (in humans) can vary between 3 and 8 days after infection by the vector bite.

Symptoms

The clinical manifestations of OROV infection are similar to the clinical picture of other arboviruses, such as dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever, although the ecoepidemiological aspects of these arboviruses are different.

Acute cases of OROV evolve with sudden onset fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain) and arthralgia (joint pain). Other symptoms such as dizziness, retro-ocular pain, chills, photophobia, nausea and vomiting are also reported.

Cases involving the central nervous system (for example, aseptic meningitis and meningoencephalitis), especially in immunocompromised patients, and with hemorrhagic manifestations (petechiae, epistaxis, gingivorragia) may occur.

Some patients may experience a relapse, with the same symptoms or just fever, headache and myalgia 1 to 2 weeks after the initial manifestations. Symptoms last from 2 to 7 days, with a benign evolution and no sequelae, even in the most severe cases. There are no reports of deaths associated with OROV infection.

Vector bites tend to cause a lot of discomfort and allergic reactions. There is no specific treatment for the disease. Patients must remain at rest, with symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring.

How to prevent

The habitat in which the vector develops varies from species to species. Generally speaking, three elements are necessary: ​​humidity, shade and organic matter.

Therefore, measures to prevent Oropouche fever involve mechanical management of the environment and individual protection measures. In mechanical management, it is necessary to keep trees and bushes pruned, in order to increase sunlight on the soil, remove excess organic matter (leaves, fruits, etc.); keeping vacant land free of weeds, depending on the situation, and planting grass can help keep the maruin population under control; and keep animal shelters (poultry, pigs, cattle and others) always clean.

Regarding individual protection measures, the use of repellents and long clothing can help reduce bites. The use of screens on doors and windows, as physical barriers, recommended in some cases, does not have much effect due to the need for these screens to have a very small weight, and this fact ends up reducing air circulation inside properties.