Scientists are concerned a first-ever mosquito-borne virus found in Cuba could spread as the country experiences an unprecedented outbreak.
The Oropouche virus is transmitted to humans through small fly and mosquito bites, and has typically been seen in the Amazon region, scientists said.
The Ministry of Public Health of Cuba first reported outbreaks in two provinces in Cuba in late May – the first time the disease has been detected in the tourist country. The introduction of a new disease makes people in the area highly susceptible to infection, according to the World Health Organization. However, there has been no human-to-human transmission detected.
Fifty-four cases have been reported in the Province of Santiago de Cuba, and 20 cases were confirmed in the Province of Cienfuegos. It is likely those numbers will go up.
Those infected reported experiencing fever, lower back pain, headache, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, joint pain, and eye pain, according to the WHO. Most patients showed improvement in their health between the third and fourth day after onset of symptoms. None of the cases so far have been fatal.
Cuban scientists continue to monitor the virus.
