The state of Rio de Janeiro recorded ten cases of Oropuche Fever in around nine days. The state Department of Health (SES-RJ) received confirmation of cases of the disease last Monday (29).
According to the folder, the records were carried out by the Noel Nutels Central Laboratory (Lacen) and the Fiocruz reference laboratory between the 9th and 18th of April in the municipalities of Japeri, Valença, Piraà and Rio de Janeiro.
However, laboratories continue to investigate to identify whether the transmission occurred locally, in which the cases are known as autochthonous, or whether it occurred in another territory, in which case it is called 'imported'.
Symptoms of Oropouche Fever
Symptoms of the disease, transmitted by insects, resemble those of dengue fever and last between two and seven days. Symptoms include:
- Sudden onset fever;
- Intense headache;
- Back pain, lumbar pain and joint pain
Additionally, infected patients may experience symptoms such as coughing, dizziness, pain behind the eyes, rashes, chills, photophobia, nausea and vomiting.
To date, there is no specific treatment for the disease. Therefore, it is recommended to remain at rest and undergo medical supervision.
Is there a flare-up period?
According to the Secretary of Health, Claudia Mello, the disease virus is endemic in Amazonas and even presents some periods of outbreak. However, the lethality of Oropouche Fever is low and, the guidance given to municipalities is to maintain the medical conduct carried out in cases of suspected dengue fever for cases of fever.
In partnership with the municipalities involved, the department will carry out the epidemiological investigation in the ten cases registered in Rio de Janeiro, in addition to investigating mosquito capture in the regions where the cases were confirmed.
The first case of the disease was recorded in February this year
The first confirmed case of the disease occurred in February 2024, in RJ. The patient was identified as a 42-year-old man, resident of the Humaitá neighborhood, in the South Zone of the capital, who has a history of traveling to Amazonas.
The patient was not hospitalized during the period of infection and recovered. According to SES-RJ, the case was considered imported, after analyzing the patient's travel history to the state of Amazonas, which had already registered a significant increase in the number of cases in the first months of this year.
Source: CNN Brasil
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