On the 25th, the Brazilian Ministry of Health announced the confirmation of two fatal cases caused by Orupuche fever. The deceased were two women from the inland region of Bahia State, both under the age of 30 and without any other illnesses. These are the first recorded fatalities due to Orupuche fever worldwide.
According to the announcement, since the beginning of 2024, a total of 7,236 cases of Orupuche fever have been confirmed across 20 states in Brazil. Most cases are concentrated in the states of Amazonas and Rondônia. The Ministry of Health is currently closely monitoring the spread and pathogenicity of the virus.
Orupuche fever is a viral disease caused by the Orupuche virus, primarily transmitted through the bites of blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes and midges. The main symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, and diarrhea, similar to dengue fever.
