In Pernambuco, three new deaths of fetuses infected with the Oropouche Fever virus were registered by the State Health Department (SES-PE). The deaths occurred in July, in Recife, the state capital, and in Bom Jardim and Gravatá, in the countryside.
With the records, the total number of cases of vertical transmission of Oropouche in the state rose to six – one of the fetal losses had a cause of death directly associated with the disease. The information was released this Wednesday (9).
In a note, SES-PE informed that the Municipal Health Departments of the cities with the new confirmed cases have already been instructed and should begin completing the investigations, with the support of the Regional Health Departments (Geres) and the General Directorate of Environmental Surveillance from Pernambuco.
Despite the confirmation of fetal deaths, Bom Jardim and Gravatá have not yet been included in the official list of cities with circulation of the virus, as they are still awaiting the conclusive results of the investigations.
In total, Pernambuco has so far recorded 156 confirmed cases of Oropouche Fever, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that has spread across several regions of the state.
Patients infected with the virus were identified in 28 municipalities: Jaqueira, Pombos, Água Preta, Moreno, Maraial, Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Rio Formoso, Timbaúba, Itamaracá, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Recife, Catende, Lagoa dos Gatos, Camaragibe, Limoeiro, Ipojuca , Itaquitinga, Macaparana, Sirinhaém, Bonito, Garanhuns, Aliança, Gameleira, Machados, São Benedito do Sul, Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Barra de Guabiraba and São Vicente Ferrer.
Monitoring Committee
The disease, which causes symptoms such as fever, body and head aches, has worried health authorities due to its potential for transmission and impact on pregnant women. To intensify monitoring and control of Oropouche fever, the State created, in August, a Committee to Combat the disease. The group meets biweekly to assess the epidemiological scenario and coordinate prevention and treatment actions.
In a note, SES-PE reinforces the importance of prevention measures, such as avoiding the accumulation of stagnant water, to reduce the proliferation of mosquitoes that transmit the disease.
What is Oropouche Fever?
Oropouche Fever is caused by an arbovirus of the Orthobunyavirus genus, of the Peribunyaviridae family. The Orthobunyavirus oropoucheense virus was isolated for the first time in Brazil in 1960, from a blood sample from a common sloth (Bradypus tridactylus), collected during the construction of the Belém-Brasília highway.
Since then, sporadic cases and outbreaks have been reported in Brazil, mainly in the Amazon region, in addition to records in other countries in Central and South America. The symptoms of fever are similar to those of dengue: intense headache, muscle pain, nausea and diarrhea.
This content was originally published in Pernambuco confirms three new cases of fetal death due to Oropouche virus on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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