Oropouche Travel Advisory Reissued for the Americas

During the summer of 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued several epidemiological alerts regarding Oropouche outbreaks in the Americas.

Oropouche is a disease caused by the Oropouche virus that is spread primarily to people through the bites of infected biting midges and mosquitoes.

Without a vaccine, public health leaders are very concerned about the ongoing transmission of the virus in 2025.

To reaffirm that this disease is a health risk to travelers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reissued a Level 1—Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Advisory. 

As of April 9, 2025, the CDC has listed ten countries in the Americas reporting Oropouche cases.

Previously, a Level 2 Travel Health Notice has been issued for Oropouche cases reported in parts of Brazil and Panama.

Last year, 103 cases of Oropouche were reported in Florida by individuals who had traveled to an endemic area such as Cuba. The majority of these cases were in Miami-Dade County (61).

The CDC says that the Oropouche virus has been found in semen, but it is unknown if Oropouche can be spread through sex.

However, there were also concerns about a rise in potential cases of the Oropouche virus being transmitted from pregnant women to their fetuses, which could be linked to fetal deaths and congenital abnormalities.

The CDC is collaborating with PAHO and other international partners to understand better the potential risks of the Oropouche virus during pregnancy.

According to the CDC, healthcare providers should inform pregnant women considering travel to areas with reported Oropouche virus transmission of the possible risks to the fetus.

If a woman who is pregnant decides to travel, counsel her to prevent bug bites.

A CDC publication in 2024 describes a patient with Oropouche virus disease with virus and viral RNA detected in bodily fluids, including semen. The CDC has interim recommendations for how to counsel patients on possible sexual transmission.