MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Oropouche spreads throughout all of Brazil but five States

Brazil has already recorded this year the first two fatalities caused by Oropouche worldwide

Brazil's Health Ministry issued a sanitary bulletin Friday admitting that Oropouche fever has spread nationwide, except for only five out of the 27 States, namely the Federal District (Brasilia), Goiás, Paraná, Rio Grande do Norte, and Rio Grande do Sul, Agencia Brasil reported.

Data from the Arbovirus Monitoring Panel indicates that, as of the beginning of the week, Brazil had recorded 7,653 cases of the disease and two deaths.

The state of Amazonas tops the ranking of Oropouche fever infections with 3,228 cases, followed by Rondônia (1,710 cases), Bahia (844 cases), Espírito Santo (441 cases), and Acre (270 cases).

In July, the Health Ministry confirmed two fatalities from Oropouche fever in Bahia. Prior to this, no deaths from the disease had been reported in the world's scientific literature.

According to the ministry, the two victims were women, under 30 years old, and had no comorbidities. Both had signs and symptoms similar to severe dengue fever.

In the states of Pernambuco, Bahia, and Acre, eight cases of potential vertical transmission of Oropouche fever —where the infection is passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth— are still under investigation.

Half of the affected babies were born with congenital anomalies, including microcephaly, while the other half did not survive. Additionally, a case of fetal death is being investigated in the State of Ceará.

Oropouche fever is transmitted by the Culicoides paraensis, also known as biting midges or gunpowder mosquito. Given its attraction to organic materials, it is recommended to keep yards clean by removing leaves and organic waste. Additionally, wearing long-sleeve and full-legged clothing and closed shoes in areas with many insects can help reduce the risk of infection.