Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of an infected small fly known as the 'biting midge'.
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PAHO's Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging its member states to strengthen surveillance as the vector-borne Oropouche virus continues to spread within the region.
PAHO's Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa says the Oropouche virus, which was historically confined to the Amazon basin, has been detected in new areas.
Dr. Barbosa says the Oropouche has been reported in 12 countries and territories in the Americas, totalling more than 11,600 cases of the virus.
He says Brazil accounts for more than 9,500 cases of the viral disease, with two deaths.
"The possibility of mother to child transmission, including fatal deaths and congenital anomalies, are being investigated. Countries must strengthen their surveillance and continue to share information. We must work across borders to monitor new cases and support the health systems to respond," he pleaded.
He was providing an update Tuesday on the state of viral diseases within the region.
Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of an infected small fly known as the 'biting midge'.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on September 16 confirmed an imported case of Oropouche virus in a woman from the Cayman Islands who had travelled to Cuba.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, and nausea.
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