Increasing cases of Oropouche fever, Maruim's disease, raises alert in SC

Increase in cases Oroboche fever The state of alert has been raised in Santa Catarina. The disease, which is transmitted by the Marueme mosquito, was recorded in the state for the first time on April 26 of this year. Last Thursday (13), there were already 78 cases, according to the Ministry of Health (SES).

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Oropouche fever is an oropouche virus and has symptoms similar to dengue fever. This disease is endemic in the Amazon region, but has spread to other states. This year, in addition to Santa Catarina, fever was reported in Bahia, Acre, Espírito Santo, Pará, Piaui, Roraima, Minas Gerais, Amapa and Pernambuco.

The situation in Santa Catarina

In Santa Catarina, the number of cases is increasing rapidly. The number rose from three, on April 26, when there were the first confirmations, to 38, on May 24, when the SES issued a second bulletin about the disease. On June 7, there were 52 cases and now there are 78.

Cases so far are concentrated in the Itajai Valley. The first three records were in Butofera, in the Medio Valley. They then spread to other cities in the same region and also to Foz do Río Itajaí. There are also records in Greater Florianópolis, Antonio Carlos and Tijucas.

According to João Fix, director of the SES's Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate, the growth is related to expanding the scope of testing. In April, the state began testing using specific combinations of yellow fever viruses sent by the Department of Health. Until then, states did not have the autonomy to conduct tests and had to send samples to reference laboratories.

Moreover, according to the diving director, the presence of marum in some municipalities in Santa Catarina facilitated the transmission of the disease, because mosquitoes are the vector of the disease. For example, Luiz Alves came, where most cases were recorded Declare a state of emergency By mosquito invasion. Another 16 incidents are concentrated in Butovera.

—Butovera and Luiz Alves are very suitable for vector breeding. In other words: they have a very dense green area, and they have important agricultural production. Marum multiplies in organic materials, which makes it easier for the disease to occur – explains Fix.

According to the Ministry of Health, marshmallows breed mainly during hot periods in humid environments, such as in areas near mangroves, lagoons, swamps and rivers. Vectors of the disease are also found in urban settings, where water and organic materials are available, especially near vegetable gardens, gardens and trees.

Confirmed cases of Oroboche fever by SC municipality

• Antonio Carlos – two cases
• Benedetto Novo – one case
• Blumenau – 3 cases
• Butovera – 16 cases
• Brusque – 6 cases
• Kuruba – two cases
• Guapiropa – 1 case
• Al Jazeera – 5 cases
• Jaragua do Sul – one case
• Luiz Alves – 35 cases
• Saint Martin – one case
• Schroeder – 3 cases
• Tijucas – 2 cases

Most diseases are benign

According to João Fix, oroboche fever does not usually lead to serious conditions, as frequently happens with dengue fever. Santa Catarina has not yet recorded any deaths due to the new disease. On the other hand, dengue fever has already caused 256 deaths in 2024.

– The literature shows that there is a solution to the conditions, as there is not a significant amount of mortality when it comes to dengue fever. He points out that it appears to be a milder disease.

Learn about the symptoms and how to prevent Auropoche fever

It is clinically difficult to differentiate between orobo fever and dengue fever, because the symptoms are very similar. A definitive diagnosis can only be made through laboratory testing, performed using PCR, from a blood sample collected within the fifth day of the onset of symptoms.

Due to limited diagnostic tools, the Ministry of Health's testing focuses on areas suspected of transmitting the disease. According to the director, the strategy has two fronts:

— When we have municipalities with many suspected arboviruses, but many negative results for dengue, this is an initial warning for the Ministry of Health to send some samples for testing. Another random test, in Lassen (Central Public Health Laboratory), in tests whose results were negative for dengue fever – he explains.

Learn how to prevent orobo fever