U.S. health authorities have identified 21 cases of Oropouche fever in people who returned from Cuba, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Tuesday. Of these cases, three required hospitalization.
The cases were reported through August 16, and most of those affected developed symptoms between May and July of this year. Fortunately, no deaths associated with this disease have been reported in the United States, according to the CDC’s weekly report.
Last week, the U.S. government issued a Level 2 alert for travelers planning to visit Cuba due to the outbreak of the virus on the island. This alert urges travelers to take extreme precautions during their stay in the Caribbean country.
The CDC reported that “there is an outbreak of Oropouche in Cuba,” accompanying its warning with a map of the island. It also noted that multiple cases of the fever have been reported in American and European travelers returning from Cuba, suggesting an ongoing risk of exposure.
Oropouche fever has no treatment or vaccine. It is a vector-borne disease, mainly through the bite of insects such as the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito or the sandfly.
Symptoms
Symptoms include sudden fever, headache, joint stiffness, muscle aches, and in some cases, double vision, persistent nausea and vomiting. These symptoms usually last between five and seven days.
In recent months, around 8,000 cases of Oropouche fever have been confirmed in various regions of South America and the Caribbean. Including Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and, most recently, Cuba. This increase in cases has led the CDC to issue a health alert. Of the cases reported in the region, two have resulted in fatalities.
Of the 21 cases identified in the United States, 20 are Florida residents and one is a New York resident, according to CDC data. The situation continues to be closely monitored by health authorities, who recommend that travelers take precautionary measures when visiting affected areas.
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