WAKE UP CALL! As Oropouche virus cases "silently surge," a woman passes away
Two young women in Brazil have been claimed to have died from the Oropouche virus, marking the first known Oropouche virus-related deaths in history. The women, who are 21 and 24 years old and from the northeastern state of Bahia, were discovered to have no underlying medical conditions in a preprint study (not yet peer reviewed).
The first Oropouche virus deaths in history have been reported from BRAZIL, where two young women passed away from the disease. A pre-print study (not yet peer reviewed) found that the ladies, ages 21 and 24, from the northeastern state of Bahia had no underlying health problems.
Oropouche fever is a tropical virus that infects humans by the bite of midges and mosquitoes that carry the sloth's blood.
The 21-year-old victim started bleeding from her nose, vagina, and gums four days after she initially displayed symptoms. She was admitted to the hospital and passed away two days later.
The 21-year-old had twice requested assistance from medical facilities but had been discharged both times. She passed away from cardiac arrest a few hours after being admitted to the hospital. Far from the Amazon rainforest, where the Oropouche virus is prevalent, infections are beginning to appear.
Experts worry that the virus, which is mainly spread to humans by Aedes mosquitos carrying sloths, could be the source of South America's next major outbreak.
Brazil has seen a sharp increase in cases this year, with 7,284 reported, compared to 832 in 2023. Furthermore, a lot of illnesses have been reported in places where the virus has never been detected before. There have also been reports of outbreaks in Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia, three nearby countries.
There have also been cases reported in Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, and Trinidad & Tobago. The island nation of Cuba, located across the Caribbean Sea, announced its first epidemic in May.
WHY IS IT SPREADING?
An article published in the Lancet Regional Health claims that the reason for the increase in instances is the deforestation of the Amazon. They stated that climate change and increased urbanization in the jungle are probably making it worse. In the past, Danny Altmann, an immunology professor at Imperial College London, stated that "we should all be worried" about the spread of illnesses like Oropouche. He issued a warning, saying that in the ensuing decades, they might spread to various areas of the USA and Southern Europe.
Similar to dengue fever, Oropouche fever can include headache, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, stiff joints, muscle aches, and light sensitivity. Meningitis and other brain disorders may arise from severe cases.
After being bitten, symptoms usually appear 4–8 days later and persist 3–6 days.The majority of people heal with no lasting consequences. There are no particular drugs or immunizations available.
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