The risk level for Cyprus and European countries in general from the appearance of the Oropouche virus, which is found mainly in South American countries and is transmitted through mosquitoes, is low, as Valentinos Sylvestros, epidemiologist of the Medical Services of the Ministry of Health, reported to KYPE, noting that the cases recently detected in European countries had a travel history in South American countries.
Mr Sylvestros explained that the virus is not transmitted from person to person, that the symptoms for most of those affected are mild and that there is no danger to the lives of the patients. The virus is more dangerous if it infects a pregnant woman, as it can even cause termination of pregnancy, as Mr. Sylvestros said.
Infectious disease specialists and competent officials of the Ministry of Health are alert and monitoring the developments regarding the virus, in coordination with the guidelines of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), despite the fact that it is estimated by the ECDC that it is difficult for the virus to be detected in Europe first.
As noted by Mr. Sylvestros speaking at KYPE, special attention should be paid by those who are going to travel to South American countries, where in any case caution is recommended for various infections and for this purpose travelers are vaccinated and follow special treatment before, during and after travel.
As for the symptoms that a person infected with Oropouche might experience, Mr Sylvesters said that there is an initial list of symptoms (as the virus is new to ECDC data) which includes headache, nausea, vomiting and myalgias.
Since the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and mosquitoes cannot be contained, everyone should take care to protect themselves from mosquito bites by choosing long clothing and/or using insect repellents. Preventive measures are more relevant to pregnant women, who may be at greater risk if exposed.
According to Mr. Silvestro, there is enhanced surveillance by the Ministry's Medical Services for diseases transmitted by mosquito bites. In addition to Oropouche, there is an alert for viruses such as dengue fever, Zika virus (West Nile virus) and malaria, due to the appearance of mosquitoes that migrate from Egypt, due to increased drought, to countries with more water reserves.< /p>
When asked if there are other viruses that are currently worrying the Medical Services, Mr. Sylvestros replied that the upsurge that had been observed in cases of COVID-19 seems to be starting to subside . From September, he said, there will be vigilance for respiratory infections and preparations are already being made in this direction.
Finally, Mr. Sylvestros noted that the Medical Services are on alert also for the possibility of the spread of diseases (mainly linked to the lack of medicines and poor water quality), in case there are mass movements of populations to Cyprus from countries such as Lebanon, if the conflicts in the region escalate further. He explained that on these issues there is communication and information from the World Health Organization.
Source: KYPE
