Canada warns pregnant travellers of ‘risks’ from Oropouche fever
Since June, the Canadian government has been advising travellers going to the Americas to take necessary health precautions to protect themselves from this virus, which is transmitted by tiny flies called midges and mosquitoes.
The Canadian government is advising pregnant individuals to consult with their healthcare providers about travel risks before visiting certain countries in the Americas, due to outbreaks of a virus transmitted by insects that live in sloths.
As of last month, more than 8,000 confirmed cases of Oropouche fever, a potentially fatal zoonotic disease, have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. The virus has also spread to Cuba for the first time.
Since June, Canada has been cautioning travelers heading to the Americas to take health precautions against this virus, which is spread by tiny flies known as midges and by mosquitoes. As of September 3, a Level 1 travel advisory is in place for Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.
While direct human-to-human transmission of the virus has not been documented, there is concern that it could be passed from a pregnant individual to their unborn baby, potentially resulting in severe outcomes such as stillbirth or congenital microcephaly (impaired head and brain development).
“Until more evidence is available, pregnant people traveling to affected destinations are advised to strictly follow bug bite prevention recommendations and to discuss the risks of their travel plans with their healthcare provider,” the Canadian government stated in an updated travel advisory on Tuesday.
To stay safe, pregnant travelers and others are advised to consult with their healthcare provider at least six weeks before traveling. During the trip, precautions include using insect repellent, mosquito netting, and wearing light-colored, loose clothing. Living areas should be well-screened and air-conditioned to prevent insect entry.
Travelers are also encouraged to limit outdoor activities during the times when midges and mosquitoes are most active—midges in the afternoon and mosquitoes at night—and to consider wearing insecticide-treated clothing.
Oropouche fever, part of the same disease family as Zika and dengue fever, currently has no specific vaccine or treatment. The virus, traditionally found in Central and South America, has recently spread to new areas including Cuba, Italy, and Spain, according to research published on August 8 in The Lancet journal.
Symptoms of Oropouche fever typically appear three to eight days after an insect bite and may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, joint and muscle pain, sensitivity to light, and pain behind the eyes. In some cases, a rash may also develop. In rare instances, the disease can lead to serious complications like aseptic meningitis, which is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain.
