NPR A little-known virus is getting a lot of attention this year. It’s called Oropouche, and it’s been making headlines because of a notable increase in diagnoses.
So far in 2024 there have been over 10,000 cases, mainly in South America and the Caribbean. The vast majority are in Brazil. By contrast, the total Oropouche count in Brazil recorded between 2015 and 2022 was 261. Of the 21 recorded cases in the United States, all involved an individual who had traveled to Cuba and contracted the virus there. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes: “Based on presently available data, the risk for sustained local transmission in the continental United States is likely low, whereas the risk for sustained transmission in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands is unknown. CDC is working with partners to understand more about what is driving the current outbreaks and how that might affect risk of transmission.”