(DDM) – Health authorities have issued a major warning after the first cases of the Oropouche virus were confirmed in the United Kingdom.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that the three cases identified in Britain are linked to recent travel to Brazil, where the virus is spreading in several regions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed the infections, noting that the virus can trigger flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and severe joint and muscle pain.
Experts are particularly concerned about pregnant women, citing documented cases of mother-to-child transmission with tragic outcomes in Brazil.
Dr. Enny Paixao, an associate professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, cautioned that the virus must not be underestimated, especially among expectant mothers.
Reports indicate that in Pernambuco, Brazil, a woman infected with Oropouche virus lost her baby, while in Acre, another infant born with birth abnormalities died after 47 days due to mother-to-child transmission.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that three additional potential cases of vertical transmission are currently under investigation in Pernambuco.
Dr. Paixao emphasized that these developments highlight the urgent need for further research and public health preparedness, stressing that Oropouche virus infections, though often mild, can have severe consequences for fetuses.
The virus, which occurs naturally in parts of the Amazon rainforest, has expanded its reach since 2024, with local transmission reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.
Authorities are urging anyone who develops symptoms after traveling to affected areas in Central and South America and the Caribbean to seek immediate medical attention.
Medical experts recommend preventive measures for pregnant women, particularly the use of insect repellents, mosquito nets, and clothing that reduces exposure to mosquito bites.
Dr. Paixao highlighted that such precautions also protect against other mosquito-borne diseases, including Zika, dengue, and chikungunya, which pose similar risks to maternal and fetal health.
Recent studies, published in Lancet Infectious Disease, document the severe congenital effects caused by vertical transmission of the virus, including microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and joint malformations.
Health authorities are coordinating with international agencies to monitor the virus and implement rapid response measures in areas where imported cases are identified.
DDM gathered that public health officials are also urging clinicians to screen for Oropouche virus in cases of unexplained fetal anomalies, stressing that early detection is critical for managing risks in pregnancy.
Experts conclude that heightened awareness and preventive action are essential to protect vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women, as the virus continues to spread globally.
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