British holidaymakers are being alerted to a new “active outbreak” of a virus transmitted by midge and mosquito bites with symptoms including fever, chills, and headaches.
In 2024, there have been outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease in countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Cuba, prompting warnings for UK travellers venturing beyond the European Union to South America.
The UK Foreign Office warned: “Before you travel check that your destination can provide the healthcare you may need and you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation. This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.”
Furthermore, the FCDO recommends: “At least eight weeks before your trip, check the latest vaccination recommendations for Bolivia and see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page.”
(Image: PA)
Travellers are also advised to be aware of the health risks in Bolivia, which include the Oropouche virus disease. The Lancet has reported there were 8,078 confirmed cases of Oropouche fever across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, as of 1 August 2024.
Dr Richard Dawood, medical director and specialist in travel medicine at Fleet Street Clinic, told The Independent: “Oropouche tends to get diagnosed in people who get the more severe manifestations. The advice that is going out to countries where travellers are returning with cases tends to be if you test for dengue or Zika and, if it is neither of those, then test for Oropouche and it may well be that.”
Additionally, Dr Dawood advised on risk and prevention, noting: “You are most at risk when you are travelling to an area with an active outbreak. At the moment that’s much of South America. In terms of what travellers can do to prevent it, general insect precautions apply – permethrin repellent and light long clothing will protect the covered up areas as midges cannot bite through them.”
The NaTHNaC also said: “If you are planning to visit countries reporting arboviral infections, including OROV, get travel health advice from your GP, practice nurse or a travel clinic, ideally at least four to six weeks before you travel.”
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