ECDC warns of tropical disease brought to Europe by Spanish and Italian tourists

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a warning after confirmation up to 6 cases of Oropus virus in several Spanish and Italian tourists who had been to Cuba and upon returning home showed typical symptoms of the disease: high fever, chills and other flu-like symptoms. The first case was recorded in June in Italy, and the patient spent up to 4 days in the hospital.

Although Oropus virus is named after the river in Trinidad and Tobago where it was first identified in 1995, the disease is endemic to South America, although to date there have been no reports of deaths as a result of the infection, which is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes and flies not native to Europe.

For this reason, ECDC experts want to make it clear that the risk of the Oropus virus spreading across Europe is “very low”, but they are mindful that the mummified mosquito responsible for transmitting dengue fever is found in some areas of the continent as a result of climate change, which poses an immediate threat to the region after a significant increase in cases in 2022 compared to the previous decade.

ECDC advises travellers returning from endemic regions such as South America to be aware of the symptoms caused by the Oropus virus and to seek medical advice if they suspect they have been exposed to the disease. Although the situation indicates a low risk to public health in Europe, health authorities remain prepared for possible scenarios that may occur in the future.