LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville health officials announced Wednesday the first case of travel-related Oropouche virus was reported in Jefferson County.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health (LMPHW) in partnership with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed a Jefferson County resident who recently traveled from Cuba was diagnosed with the virus.
According to officials, the infected person had mild symptoms and is recovering.
Oropouche virus is spread to people through the bite of infected biting midges and some mosquitoes.
According to the CDC, at this time, there is no evidence that Oropouche virus has been spread in the United States. The virus has been reported in parts of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Symptoms of Oropouche virus infection include, fever, headaches, chills, body aches and joint pain. Though, some people may develop more serious diseases, including meningitis, encephalitis or bleeding complications. Death from Oropouche virus infection is rare.
At least 21 Oropouche cases have been reported in the United States in travelers who have returned from Cuba. This year, more than 8,000 cases of Oropouche virus infection have been reported worldwide, including two deaths.
Five cases of transmission during pregnancy have been associated with fetal death or birth defects. Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Cuba have reported locally acquired cases. In the United States and Europe in 2024, travel-associated cases have been identified in people returning from Cuba and Brazil.
“If you’re planning to travel to countries where there are locally transmitted cases of Oropouche virus, you should take measures to prevent insect bites during your stay abroad and for three weeks after your return. If you’re pregnant, then you should speak with your healthcare provider about travel plans and reconsider nonessential travel to Cuba,” said Dr. Kris Bryant, associate medical director of LMPHW and pediatric infectious disease specialist at Norton Children’s. “Keep in mind, no matter where you live -- or are visiting -- you should always protect yourself from insects that can carry disease.”
There are no vaccines to prevent Oropouche virus infection or medicines to treat the illness. The best way to prevent the virus is to protect yourself from bug bites.
“You can avoid insect bites by using EPA-registered insect repellant, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when possible, and consider taking extra precaution – like avoiding outdoor activities – during peak biting hours. For mosquitoes, that’s in the early morning and dusk,” said Matt Vanderpool, LMPHW environmental health specialist. “For mosquitoes, you can also prevent breeding sites by regularly emptying standing water from anything around your home including tires, flowerpot saucers and gutter extension pipes.”
People who have recently traveled to an area where Oropouche virus transmission is occurring are also encouraged to use insect repellant for three weeks after returning home to prevent spread of the virus to other people via midges or mosquitoes.