Also transmitted by mosquitoes, oropouche fever has a rise in cases in Bahia

Transmitted in the urban environment by Culicoides paraensis, known as maruim or sandfly, Oropouche Fever is yet another viral disease of public health concern. New cases have been registered in Brazil in 2024, and the number of infected people in Bahia alone has risen to 55. The data was confirmed this Monday (15), by the Central Public Health Laboratory (Lacen).

The Health Department (Sesab) points out that the latest cases were registered in the following municipalities in Bahia: Ibirapitanga (1) and Taperoá (4). The first case of the disease in Salvador was confirmed on April 10. The other cities affected are: Teolândia, with 23 cases; Valença (10); Laje (14) and Mutuípe (2).

The State's Director of Epidemiological Surveillance, Márcia São Pedro, stated that she is carrying out additional investigations to better understand the scenario of this disease in Bahia. “We are capturing the vectors, to identify whether these animals are infected and at the same time providing guidance to the population.”

Symptoms include initial fever, muscle and joint pain, similar to dengue fever and chikungunya. However, there is no specific treatment for Oropouche Fever, with clinical management focused on relieving symptoms.

Also according to Sesab guidelines, it is important to remember that, even if it is more frequent in rural areas, the population should not leave an accumulation of garbage or accumulation of leaves, because where there is organic matter, it facilitates the proliferation of the insect. Transmission is mainly done by mosquitoes and very quickly.

The Secretariat also reinforces the need for the population to continue with preventive measures, such as using repellents and clothing that minimize skin exposure, in addition to seeking medical advice if necessary, in addition to laboratory diagnosis for effective monitoring of cases.