Oropouche Virus News and Research

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Oropouche virus infected millions more than official data shows

The recent Oropouche virus outbreak in 2023 drew attention in Brazil and other Latin American countries not only because of its scale – with more than 30,000 cases recorded nationwide – but also because of the first confirmed death in the country caused by the disease and its rapid spread to all states, extending beyond the Amazon region.

18 Jun 2026

Scientists map 239 human-infective RNA viruses to track future outbreak risks

Researchers updated the global catalogue of human-infective RNA viruses to 239 ICTV-recognised species, incorporating taxonomy, discovery dates, locations, genome links, host range, transmissibility, and transmission routes. The dataset shows that most known human-infective RNA viruses remain strictly zoonotic, while only a minority are endemic in humans or capable of epidemic spread.

26 Apr 2026

Six years after COVID-19: Lessons learned and pandemic preparedness

Six years ago, the Director-General of the World Health Organization sounded the highest global alarm available under international law at the time, declaring the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease (later known as COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

3 Feb 2026

Early B cell response prevents Oropouche virus from reaching the brain

Research conducted on mice has identified that the rapid response of a specific type of defense cell is essential for controlling Oropouche virus infections and preventing serious neurological damage.

14 Sep 2025

WHO warns of ORVO as outbreaks surge and health risks rise

Oropouche virus poses a growing public health risk, with recent outbreaks in Brazil and Cuba. The WHO report calls for urgent global preparedness measures.

13 Jun 2025

Oropouche virus: Emerging threats, symptoms, and prevention

Researchers provide an overview of the emerging Oropouche virus.

19 Mar 2025

Travelers warned about Oropouche virus in South American countries

Heading south for the winter? Oropouche virus, a new infectious disease, has been reported in travelers from Canada and the United States who visited Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Cuba.

17 Mar 2025

Oropouche virus goes global: Study exposes new risks from viral reassortment

Scientists trace the rapid spread of Oropouche virus beyond the Amazon, revealing its evolution through reassortment and the critical role of human mobility in its transmission.

4 Mar 2025

The growing list of human viruses: Are we prepared for the next outbreak?

Researchers review the ever-growing list of human viruses, examining their diversity, transmission pathways, and the urgent need for prevention and global surveillance.

12 Feb 2025

U.S. mosquito species show minimal risk of spreading Oropouche virus, study finds

US mosquito species exhibit minimal competence for transmitting Oropouche virus (OROV), with low infection and transmission rates across tested populations, suggesting limited potential for local outbreaks despite rising imported cases.

22 Jan 2025

Scientists detect replication-competent Oropouche virus in semen of traveler, sparking transmission fears

Researchers confirmed the presence of replication-competent Oropouche virus in semen, raising concerns about potential sexual transmission following a traveler's infection.

9 Oct 2024

Oropouche virus spreads in South America as scientists warn of potential outbreaks in the U.S.

Researchers review the reemergence and range expansion of Oropouche virus in South America, highlighting risks of spread to the U.S. and need for improved diagnostic tests. Over 9,000 cases and two deaths were reported in 2024.

4 Oct 2024

WHO unveils comprehensive strategy to combat dengue and Aedes-borne arboviruses

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Strategic Preparedness, Readiness and Response Plan (SPRP) to tackle dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviruses.

3 Oct 2024

New research network focuses on high-priority viruses

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established a pandemic preparedness research network to conduct research on high-priority pathogens most likely to threaten human health with the goal of developing effective vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Currently, many of the diseases caused by these pathogens have no available vaccines or therapeutics, and investing in this research is key to preparing for potential public health crises - both in the United States and around the world. NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) expects to commit approximately $100 million per year to fund the program, pending the availability of funds.

14 Sep 2024

CDC identifies new Oropouche virus cases in U.S. travelers, raising public health concerns

The CDC reports 21 new cases of Oropouche virus among U.S. travelers from Brazil and Cuba, highlighting potential health risks and the need for vigilant monitoring and preventive measures.

29 Aug 2024

World's first deaths from Oropouche fever recorded in Brazil

The world's first deaths have been recorded from Oropouche fever, caused by a mosquito-borne virus that has spread silently from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, raising alarm among scientists.

2 Aug 2024

Oropouche virus: Emerging threats and unanswered questions

Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. Oropouche virus (genus Orthobunyavirus, family Peribunyaviridae) is an arthropod-borne virus that infects several species of animals and humans, primarily in South America.

1 Aug 2024

Unveiling Oropouche fever hotspots: 5 million at risk in Latin America

Research paper discusses Oropouche fever, a vector-borne disease caused by the Oropouche virus (OROV) in Central and South America. The study aims to explore the epidemic potential and areas of likely OROV spread to improve epidemiological surveillance.

9 May 2023

Zoonotic and vector-borne emerging tropical diseases pose a constant threat

A recent article published in the journal Frontiers in Tropical Diseases assessed the threat of emerging zoonotic and vector-borne tropical diseases.

26 May 2021

Researchers describe strategy used by Oropouche virus to replicate in human cells

The strategy used by the Oropouche virus to replicate in human cells has been described for the first time by researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil and international collaborators in an article published in the journal PLOS Pathogens.

31 Jul 2018