EU/EEA travellers advised to exercise caution when visiting Oropouche virus disease epidemic areas

OROV is mainly transmitted by the Culicoides paraensis midge, which is widely distributed in the Americas but absent in Europe. Several species of mosquitoes are also possible vectors of the virus. 

The risk of OROV infection for citizens travelling to or residing in epidemic areas in South America, Central America and the Caribbean is currently assessed as moderate. However, the risk increases for those visiting highly affected areas, particularly in the northern states of Brazil or the Amazon region, and/or those not taking adequate personal protective measures.

The risk of human exposure to OROV in the EU/EEA is considered very low, despite the likely importation of further OROV disease cases, as the competent vectors are absent from continental Europe.

OROV disease can manifest as an acute febrile illness with headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and occasionally more severe symptoms. The prognosis for recovery is good and fatal outcomes are extremely rare. There are no vaccines to prevent or specific medication to treat OROV disease.

Recent data indicate that OROV infection during pregnancy may lead to severe outcomes, including miscarriage, abortion, developmental problems, and deformities in the foetus. This is still under investigation and has not been confirmed. However, given the high potential impact of congenital OROV infection and that areas affected by OROV are also classified as regions with current or previous Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission, it is advised that pregnant women follow travel advisories related to both OROV and ZIKV, due to the similar associated risks.

Personal protective measures to reduce the risk of bites include the use of repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, and using insecticide-treated fine mesh mosquito bed nets when resting. These measures are essential for providing protection from bites in rooms that are not adequately screened (with fine-mesh screens on doors and windows) or air-conditioned, and during outdoor activities.

Increased awareness among health professionals of travellers returning from areas with active OROV transmission, combined with adequate laboratory diagnostic capability is essential for the early detection of travel-associated cases. As symptoms of OROV disease can be similar to other arboviral infections such as dengue, chikungunya, or Zika, laboratory testing for OROV should be performed when other tests for diseases of common aetiology return negative. The Emerging Viral Diseases-Expert Laboratory Network (EVD-LabNet) has provided support in building laboratory diagnostic capabilities for the detection of OROV infections to laboratory network members in the EU/EEA.