Washington, DC, August 14, 2025 (Paho) – The Pan American Health Organization (Pah) You have now Countries – Seven with Local Transmission and Four With Imported Cases – Reflecting The Growing Spred of This Virus, Primarily Transmitted by The Culicoids Paransis Midge.
From January 1 to July 27, 2025, confirmed cases are distributed as follows: Brazil (11,888 cases), Panama (501), Peru (330), Cuba (28), Colombia (26), Venezuela (5) and Guyana (1). Imported cases have been reported in Uruguay (3), Chile (2), Canada (1) and the United States (1). In 2024, the region registered 16,239 cases in 11 countries and a territory, including four deaths.
This year, Brazil has taken the largest load, with cases reported in 20 states, mainly Espírito Santo (6,322) and Rio de Janeiro (2,497). The country has also reported five deaths, as well as cases of neurological complications and fetal deaths currently under investigation. Panama and Peru have also experienced significant outbreaks, while Cuba and Colombia have reported fewer cases.
Oroopouche fever generally causes high fever, severe headaches and muscle and joint pain, and most patients recover in two or three weeks, although up to 60% may experience relapses. In rare cases, it can cause meningitis or encephalitis, and in pregnant women, there are concerns about possible fetal risks.
The propagation of the virus to non -endemic areas, such as urban regions in Cuba, is promoted by factors such as climate change, deforestation and urbanization of forested areas, which promote the population of Midge.
Paho emphasizes the need for stronger epidemiological surveillance and vector control to stop the disease, which currently has no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.
PAHO’s key recommendations to countries in the region include:
- Surveillance: Adapt the actions based on the epidemiological situation in each country to detect the introduction of the virus in new areas, monitor its spread in areas with local transmission and properly characterize the epidemiological landscape.
- Vector control: Eliminate MIDGE reproduction sites by cleaning vegetation and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
- Personal protection: Prevent bites through the use of bed networks, protective clothing and repellent containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaradine, especially for pregnant women and rural workers.
- Clinical management: Strengthen early clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis, particularly dengue. The treatment focuses on relieving pain and fever, guaranteeing hydration and managing vomiting, while monitoring neurological complications or problems in pregnant women.
The Paho emphasizes that national and regional collaboration is essential to monitor and control the spread of the virus, especially in the midst of the circulation of other arbovirus such as dengue. The organization is supporting countries with technical orientation on diagnosis, clinical management and the prevention and control of vectors, urging rapid reports of unusual events, such as deaths or cases of vertical transmission.
