Two women have died in Brazil due to Oropouche virus infection. This is the first time in the world that a death has been recorded due to this virus. It spreads to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Health Desk. The world's first death due to Oropouche virus infection has been recorded in Brazil. Infection of this virus in humans is very rare. Oropouche virus is an unknown disease. It spreads through the bite of infected mosquitoes. According to Brazil's Health Ministry, two 30-year-old women died of this virus in Bahia on Thursday. Both had symptoms like dengue, malaria or other vector-borne diseases.

What is Oropoch virus?

Oropoch virus belongs to the Simbu serogroup of the viral genus Orthobunyavirus of the Peribunyaviridae family. It was first discovered in 1955. A forest worker in a village in Trinidad and Tobago was infected with it. He developed fever. The forest worker lived near Vega de Oropoch near the Oropoch River. Due to this the virus was named Oropoch. In 2000, cases of Oropoch virus infection were reported in Brazil, Panama and Peru. Animals were infected with it in Colombia and Trinidad. In the last 25 years, cases of Oropoch virus have been found in countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama and Peru in the Amazon region.

Symptoms of Oropouche virus infection appear within 3-10 days

Symptoms of the disease appear within 3-10 days after infection with the Oropouche virus. Its symptoms can be similar to those of dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus or malaria. Usually, the patient first feels fever. His body temperature reaches 38-40 degrees Celsius. The patient gets headache and chills. He has myalgia and joint pain. Symptoms of the virus last for more than a week. In about 60 percent of patients, symptoms may appear again after a few days or weeks. Symptoms of the Oropouche virus infection can be similar to those of dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus or malaria.

Other symptoms of Oropouche virus infection

  • Photophobia
  • Dizziness
  • Retroorbital
  • Pain in the eyes
  • Nausea
  • Vomit
  • Maculopapular rash