Canada urges travellers to exercise caution due to reported outbreaks of the Oropouche virus across the Americas.
Recent data indicates higher-than-expected case numbers, with some countries experiencing their first-ever virus infections.
Oropouche virus, transmitted through the bites of midges (no-see-ums) and potentially mosquitoes, causes symptoms such as fever, severe headaches, vomiting, and dizziness. While not new to the region, its recent appearances in Brazil, Bolivia, and Cuba are unprecedented.
The Canadian government has highlighted concerns about the virus’s potential transmission from a pregnant person to their unborn baby, which could lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth. Pregnant travellers are advised to adhere strictly to bug-bite prevention measures.
Travel-related cases of Oropouche virus, also known as OVD or sloth fever, have been reported globally, with many linked to travel to Cuba. Local authorities in Havana began fumigation efforts last Friday, but the country’s severe fuel shortages have hindered these.
These shortages have also led to a broader advisory for travellers considering trips to Cuba. The advisory recommends a “high degree of caution,” which is the second tier on a four-level risk scale. The advisory highlights ongoing severe shortages in food, bottled water, medication, fuel, and hard currency, with intermittent blackouts affecting areas outside tourist destinations.
In the United States, over 20 travellers returning from the region have been infected with the Oropouche virus, though no fatalities have been reported. U.S. officials have alerted healthcare providers to monitor for potential domestic spread.
Since the last significant outbreak last year, approximately 8,000 cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms about the virus’s presence in Cuba, noting the high susceptibility of the local population and the risk of international spread due to Cuba’s status as a major tourist destination.
