Latest news with #JanDrexler
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study uncovers alarming prevalence of disease linked to stillbirths: 'Will become even more widespread in the future'
A new study has revealed that Oropouche virus may be more prevalent in Latin America than initially believed — and it may be negatively impacting a vulnerable population. Oropouche virus is a vector-borne disease, which means that a living organism is what passes it on to humans. In this case, mosquitoes and biting midges (a kind of fly) are the vectors that transmit Oropouche. According to The Telegraph, Oropouche virus was found outside of its endemic area of Brazil for the first time in October 2023. While the World Health Organization says it was also detected in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955, it has spread "rapidly" to other South American and Caribbean countries since the 2023 discovery, per the report. In fact, a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests that Oropouche's stint in those regions may have started as early as 2001. Researchers analyzed 9,400 blood samples from 2001 to 2022 from patients in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru. They found that 6.3% of individuals had Oropouche antibodies, indicating they were previously infected with Oropouche virus. While there is still a lot that researchers don't know about Oropouche virus, The Telegraph says it has been linked to stillbirths and birth defects. Pregnant people and their children are the most vulnerable to this disease. The study also found that the El Niño phenomenon accelerates Oropouche transmission. El Niño creates warmer and wetter weather, and Earth's warming climate — driven by human activities, mostly the burning of dirty fuels — has amplified this phenomenon over time. This weather allows mosquitoes and biting midges to thrive and infect more people, which spells health and environmental problems. "I think it's possible that Oropouche virus will become even more widespread in the future as climate change progresses," Dr. Jan Drexler, the head of the Virus Epidemiology Laboratory at the Institute of Virology at Charité and lead author of the study, told The Telegraph. Stopping the transmission of Oropouche virus can help keep global communities safe. Taking action to protect the environment can be one of the best ways to do this. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Individuals can help by reducing their heat-trapping pollution through adopting energy-efficient appliances, taking public transportation, and installing solar panels, among other things. There is no treatment for Oropouche virus, so the best way to protect yourself is to be preventative. There are many ways to protect yourself from Oropouche virus and other diseases, such as Zika and West Nile, that are transmitted by mosquitoes. The WHO recommends using mesh bed nets, chemical insecticides, protective clothing, and insect repellents. The authors of the study also recommend that health care workers in the Americas familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of Oropouche virus, per The Telegraph. These include fever, headaches, and muscle pain. The symptoms may overlap with those of other illnesses such as dengue fever, as the WHO explains, but knowing that Oropouche is an option may help with diagnoses and treatments. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oropouche virus ‘massively underdiagnosed' in Latin America, new study suggests
Oropouche virus may be far more widespread in Latin America than previously understood, new research has found. Closely related to the Zika and Dengue viruses, Oropouche is transmitted by biting midges and mosquitoes. It poses a particular risk to pregnant women, having been linked to stillbirths and serious birth defects. The virus was first detected outside of Brazil – where it is endemic – in October 2023, when it began spreading rapidly across other South American and Caribbean countries. Since then, over 20,000 cases and four deaths have been reported. However, a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests that the virus may have been circulating across the region undetected since as early as 2001. Researchers analysed 9,400 blood samples collected between 2001 and 2022 from patients in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru. They found that at least 6.3 per cent – nearly 600 individuals – had antibodies against Oropouche, indicating past infection. There were significant regional variants, however; while antibodies were present in two per cent of samples from Costa Rica, they appeared in five per cent of samples from Ecuador and over 10 per cent of samples from the Amazon region. People living in higher altitudes were also less likely to have experienced a previous Oropouche infection than those at warmer, lower altitudes – which offer more favourable conditions for the insects that transmit the disease. 'Our data show that Oropouche virus is massively under-diagnosed in Latin America,' said Professor Jan Drexler, head of the Virus Epidemiology Laboratory at the Institute of Virology at Charité and lead author of the study. 'We still know relatively little about the virus, the consequences of an infection, including on unborn babies, require further investigation and it's not yet clear whether there are parallels with the Zika virus,' he added. The researchers said that Oropouche cases are often confused with dengue fever, which is widespread in Latin America, because they cause similar symptoms including high fevers, headaches, and muscle pain. The study also found the El Niño phenomena – a naturally occurring weather pattern which creates warmer and wetter weather – significantly increases transmission of Oropouche, by creating conditions in which midges and mosquitoes can thrive. The 2023-2024 El Niño was one of the strongest on record, and was exacerbated by climate change. 'I think it's possible that Oropouche virus will become even more widespread in the future as climate change progresses,' Dr Drexler said. The authors of the study say the findings emphasise the need for the development of an Oropouche vaccine, which currently does not exist. They also recommend that healthcare workers in the Americas are better educated on the signs and symptoms of Oropouche virus, and that it should be considered when treating anyone with unexplained fevers, pregnancy complications, or in the case of unexplained death. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
15-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Oropouche virus ‘massively underdiagnosed' in Latin America, new study suggests
Oropouche virus may be far more widespread in Latin America than previously understood, new research has found. Closely related to the Zika and Dengue viruses, Oropouche is transmitted by biting midges and mosquitoes. It poses a particular risk to pregnant women, having been linked to stillbirths and serious birth defects. The virus was first detected outside of Brazil – where it is endemic – in October 2023, when it began spreading rapidly across other South American and Caribbean countries. Since then, over 20,000 cases and four deaths have been reported. However, a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests that the virus may have been circulating across the region undetected since as early as 2001. Researchers analysed 9,400 blood samples collected between 2001 and 2022 from patients in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru. They found that at least 6.3 per cent – nearly 600 individuals – had antibodies against Oropouche, indicating past infection. There were significant regional variants, however; while antibodies were present in two per cent of samples from Costa Rica, they appeared in five per cent of samples from Ecuador and over 10 per cent of samples from the Amazon region. People living in higher altitudes were also less likely to have experienced a previous Oropouche infection than those at warmer, lower altitudes – which offer more favourable conditions for the insects that transmit the disease. 'Our data show that Oropouche virus is massively under-diagnosed in Latin America,' said Professor Jan Drexler, head of the Virus Epidemiology Laboratory at the Institute of Virology at Charité and lead author of the study. 'We still know relatively little about the virus, the consequences of an infection, including on unborn babies, require further investigation and it's not yet clear whether there are parallels with the Zika virus,' he added. The researchers said that Oropouche cases are often confused with dengue fever, which is widespread in Latin America, because they cause similar symptoms including high fevers, headaches, and muscle pain. The study also found the El Niño phenomena – a naturally occurring weather pattern which creates warmer and wetter weather – significantly increases transmission of Oropouche, by creating conditions in which midges and mosquitoes can thrive. The 2023-2024 El Niño was one of the strongest on record, and was exacerbated by climate change. 'I think it's possible that Oropouche virus will become even more widespread in the future as climate change progresses,' Dr Drexler said. The authors of the study say the findings emphasise the need for the development of an Oropouche vaccine, which currently does not exist. They also recommend that healthcare workers in the Americas are better educated on the signs and symptoms of Oropouche virus, and that it should be considered when treating anyone with unexplained fevers, pregnancy complications, or in the case of unexplained death.
