No treatment or vaccine exists for Oropouche virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert on Friday regarding an increase in Oropouche virus disease in the Americas, which has resulted in two deaths this year.

Oropouche virus is transmitted through the bites of infected midges and mosquitoes. The disease is characterized by symptoms including headache, fever, and myalgia, with severe cases leading to meningitis.

From January 1 to August 1, over 8,000 cases were reported, including two fatalities and five instances of vertical transmission from parent to fetus during pregnancy, according to the CDC.

There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for Oropouche virus disease. Countries reporting cases include Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba. The CDC also noted that travel-associated cases have been identified in the United States and Europe among individuals returning from Cuba and Brazil.

The CDC recommends testing and evaluation for travelers from affected areas who present with symptoms consistent with Oropouche infection. The agency anticipates additional cases as testing and surveillance efforts increase across the Americas.