(CNN) – A little-known virus is causing a big concern, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to sound the alarm on the Oropouche virus after travel-related cases have been reported in the United States and Europe.
It is a disease spread by insect bites, especially from biting midges, a tiny type of fly, and some mosquitoes.
More than 8,000 cases of Oropouche virus have been reported this year, as of August 1.
Most cases have been in South America but infections are spreading to other countries where it has never been.
At least 21 U.S. travelers returning from Cuba have tested positive for the virus.
”The illness can make you very sick within seven days,” said Dr. Lyssette Cardona with the Cleveland Clinic.
Cardona said symptoms include an abrupt fever, severe headache and muscle and joint aches. In rare cases, the disease can infect the nervous system and cause meningitis and encephalitis.
”Luckily, most people can recover from the illness, although it can come back a few days later,” she said.
Cardona said the Oropouche virus is especially dangerous to those who are pregnant because the infection can potentially spread to the fetus causing harm since there is no vaccine.
The best protection is preventing bug bites, wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, using EPA-registered insect repellant that is labeled for use against flies and biting flies and staying in air-conditioned places to keep insects outside.
”Most of the cases in the U.S. have been imported from travel overseas, but due to the recent cases in Cuba, we remain very vigilant,” Cardona said.
The CDC said there is currently no evidence of local transmission of the Oropouche virus in the U.S.
All cases have been brought into the country from those who have traveled but the CDC said the current outbreak raised concerns that oropouche could spread to the U.S.
Scientists said biting midge species on both sides of the country could potentially carry the Oropouche virus.
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