Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast Milk
The discovery that the Oropouche virus (OROV) can be transmitted vertically from an infected pregnant mother to the fetus, resulting in fetal and placental OROV infection, miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital malformations including microcephaly, has emphasized its public health significance. Bec...
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2025-05-01
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| author | David A. Schwartz Creuza Rachel Vicente Mija Ververs |
| author_facet | David A. Schwartz Creuza Rachel Vicente Mija Ververs |
| author_sort | David A. Schwartz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The discovery that the Oropouche virus (OROV) can be transmitted vertically from an infected pregnant mother to the fetus, resulting in fetal and placental OROV infection, miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital malformations including microcephaly, has emphasized its public health significance. Because of the importance of breastfeeding in those areas affected by the Oropouche fever outbreak, public health agencies have continued to encourage nursing among mothers who have had OROV infection or who reside or travel in endemic regions. However, the basis for this recommendation has not been stated. At the present time, there have been no reports of the OROV being transmitted from mothers having had Oropouche fever during pregnancy to their infants through breast milk. To further evaluate the potential risk of OROV transmission through breastfeeding, we have examined the peer-reviewed literature to determine if related Orthobunyavirus species infecting humans and animals are transmissible via breast milk. Bibliographic search engines, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were extensively reviewed using keywords, MeSH terms, and other sources cited in the articles examined. Studies investigating Orthobunyavirus species that infect humans and animals, including reassortant strains of OROV and viruses within the Simbu serogroup, were reviewed. We found that there have been no reported events of vertical transmission of any Orthobunyavirus through breast milk. Based on these results, we believe that the advantages of breastfeeding following maternal OROV infection outweigh any negligible risk for vertical transmission. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a4d2f860ddbf4769b00fdc7461fcf616 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-a4d2f860ddbf4769b00fdc7461fcf6162025-08-20T03:29:43ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-05-0117673810.3390/v17060738Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast MilkDavid A. Schwartz0Creuza Rachel Vicente1Mija Ververs2Perinatal Pathology Consulting, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Collective Health, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória 29047-105, BrazilCenter for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USAThe discovery that the Oropouche virus (OROV) can be transmitted vertically from an infected pregnant mother to the fetus, resulting in fetal and placental OROV infection, miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital malformations including microcephaly, has emphasized its public health significance. Because of the importance of breastfeeding in those areas affected by the Oropouche fever outbreak, public health agencies have continued to encourage nursing among mothers who have had OROV infection or who reside or travel in endemic regions. However, the basis for this recommendation has not been stated. At the present time, there have been no reports of the OROV being transmitted from mothers having had Oropouche fever during pregnancy to their infants through breast milk. To further evaluate the potential risk of OROV transmission through breastfeeding, we have examined the peer-reviewed literature to determine if related Orthobunyavirus species infecting humans and animals are transmissible via breast milk. Bibliographic search engines, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were extensively reviewed using keywords, MeSH terms, and other sources cited in the articles examined. Studies investigating Orthobunyavirus species that infect humans and animals, including reassortant strains of OROV and viruses within the Simbu serogroup, were reviewed. We found that there have been no reported events of vertical transmission of any Orthobunyavirus through breast milk. Based on these results, we believe that the advantages of breastfeeding following maternal OROV infection outweigh any negligible risk for vertical transmission.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/6/738Oropouche feverOropouche virusbreastfeedingbreast milkvertical infectionOrthobunyavirus |
| spellingShingle | David A. Schwartz Creuza Rachel Vicente Mija Ververs Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast Milk Viruses Oropouche fever Oropouche virus breastfeeding breast milk vertical infection Orthobunyavirus |
| title | Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast Milk |
| title_full | Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast Milk |
| title_fullStr | Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast Milk |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast Milk |
| title_short | Oropouche Virus (OROV) and Breastfeeding Safety: Analysis of Related Orthobunyaviruses for Mother-Infant Vertical Transmission in Breast Milk |
| title_sort | oropouche virus orov and breastfeeding safety analysis of related orthobunyaviruses for mother infant vertical transmission in breast milk |
| topic | Oropouche fever Oropouche virus breastfeeding breast milk vertical infection Orthobunyavirus |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/6/738 |
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