Canada warns pregnant women of ‘risk’ of Oropouche fever – National

The Canadian government is warning pregnant women to discuss travel risks before traveling to certain American countries because of outbreaks of an insect-borne virus that affects sloths.

More than 8,000 confirmed cases of Oropouche fever, a potentially deadly zoonosis, have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru in the past month. And for the first time, the virus has spread to Cuba.

Since June, the Canadian government has advised travelers to the Americas to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the virus, which is carried by tiny flies called midges and mosquitoes.

As of September 3, a Level 1 travel warning applies to Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.

Direct transmission of the virus from person to person has not been documented. However, it can spread to the fetus during pregnancy.

“There are concerns that Oropouche virus could be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her unborn child, which could have adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth and potentially congenital microcephaly (abnormal development of the head/brain),” the Canadian government said in an updated travel warning Tuesday.

“Until more evidence is available, pregnant women travelling to affected areas are advised to strictly follow insect bite prevention advice and discuss the risks of their planned travel with their doctor,” the warning reads.

Pregnant women and other people are advised to consult a doctor at least six weeks before travelling.

When traveling, you can take various precautions to prevent insect bites, such as using insect repellents or sprays, mosquito nets, and wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Living quarters should be made safe by installing well-secured windows and doors as well as air conditioning.

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Travelers should consider limiting their time outdoors during periods of peak midge and mosquito activity, and consider wearing clothing treated with approved insecticides.

The Canadian government has reported that mosquitoes are most active at night, while midges are most active in the afternoon.

Both insects can be found both inside and outside houses.

There is currently no specific vaccine or treatment for Oropouche fever, which belongs to the same family of diseases as Zika and dengue.

The virus has traditionally circulated in Central and South America, but this year it has also spread to new places, such as Cuba, Italy and Spain, according to a study published Aug. 8 in the journal The Lancet..

Symptoms of oropouche fever, which usually begin three to eight days after the insect bite, include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, joint and muscle pain, sensitivity to light, and pain behind the eyes. Some people may also develop a rash.

In rare cases, Oropouche fever can lead to serious complications such as aseptic meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain.

— based on documents by Katie Dangerfield of Global News.

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