Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin America

Recent outbreaks of Oropouche virus (OROV) in Latin America demonstrate shifting epidemiological trends, with increasing clinical severity and geographic expansion driven by environmental and anthropogenic factors, many of which remain uncertain. Viral evolution with new reassortant strains, changes...

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Main Authors: André Ricardo Ribas Freitas, David A. Schwartz, Antônio Silva Lima Neto, Rosana Rodrigues, Luciano Pamplona Goes Cavalcanti, Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/353
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author André Ricardo Ribas Freitas
David A. Schwartz
Antônio Silva Lima Neto
Rosana Rodrigues
Luciano Pamplona Goes Cavalcanti
Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal
author_facet André Ricardo Ribas Freitas
David A. Schwartz
Antônio Silva Lima Neto
Rosana Rodrigues
Luciano Pamplona Goes Cavalcanti
Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal
author_sort André Ricardo Ribas Freitas
collection DOAJ
description Recent outbreaks of Oropouche virus (OROV) in Latin America demonstrate shifting epidemiological trends, with increasing clinical severity and geographic expansion driven by environmental and anthropogenic factors, many of which remain uncertain. Viral evolution with new reassortant strains, changes in vectors, environmental degradation, and human activities have been postulated as factors that have facilitated its spread into new areas beyond the Amazon Basin. Multiple reports starting in July 2024 of pregnant women with Oropouche fever developing vertical infections and adverse perinatal outcomes, including placental infection, stillbirth, and fetal infections with microcephaly and malformation syndromes, have reinforced the public health significance of this disease. Here, we describe the evidence surrounding this re-emerging epidemic threat, examine these changes, and propose specific strategies for enhanced surveillance and a public health response.
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spelling doaj-art-404b3e2003fa4a8c9d3135105f2ec1cc2025-08-20T03:44:03ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-02-0117335310.3390/v17030353Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin AmericaAndré Ricardo Ribas Freitas0David A. Schwartz1Antônio Silva Lima Neto2Rosana Rodrigues3Luciano Pamplona Goes Cavalcanti4Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal5Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas 13045, SP, BrazilPerinatal Pathology Consulting, Atlanta, GA 30342, USACentro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza 60811, CE, BrazilFaculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas 13045, SP, BrazilFaculdade de Medicina, Centro Universitário Christus, Fortaleza 60160, CE, BrazilDepartment of Animal Production and Health, Public Veterinary Health and Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Calle Tirant lo Blanc 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 45115 Valencia, SpainRecent outbreaks of Oropouche virus (OROV) in Latin America demonstrate shifting epidemiological trends, with increasing clinical severity and geographic expansion driven by environmental and anthropogenic factors, many of which remain uncertain. Viral evolution with new reassortant strains, changes in vectors, environmental degradation, and human activities have been postulated as factors that have facilitated its spread into new areas beyond the Amazon Basin. Multiple reports starting in July 2024 of pregnant women with Oropouche fever developing vertical infections and adverse perinatal outcomes, including placental infection, stillbirth, and fetal infections with microcephaly and malformation syndromes, have reinforced the public health significance of this disease. Here, we describe the evidence surrounding this re-emerging epidemic threat, examine these changes, and propose specific strategies for enhanced surveillance and a public health response.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/353arbovirusOropouche virusemerging zoonotic diseasebunyaviruscongenital infectionvertical transmission
spellingShingle André Ricardo Ribas Freitas
David A. Schwartz
Antônio Silva Lima Neto
Rosana Rodrigues
Luciano Pamplona Goes Cavalcanti
Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal
Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin America
Viruses
arbovirus
Oropouche virus
emerging zoonotic disease
bunyavirus
congenital infection
vertical transmission
title Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin America
title_full Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin America
title_fullStr Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin America
title_full_unstemmed Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin America
title_short Oropouche Virus (OROV): Expanding Threats, Shifting Patterns, and the Urgent Need for Collaborative Research in Latin America
title_sort oropouche virus orov expanding threats shifting patterns and the urgent need for collaborative research in latin america
topic arbovirus
Oropouche virus
emerging zoonotic disease
bunyavirus
congenital infection
vertical transmission
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/353
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