First case of Oropouche virus reported in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Louisville health officials announced Wednesday that the first case of travel-related oropouche virus has been reported in Jefferson County.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health (LMPHW), in collaboration with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), confirmed that a Jefferson County resident who recently traveled from Cuba has been diagnosed with the virus.

According to authorities, the infected person showed only mild symptoms and is on the road to recovery.

The Oropouche virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected midges and some mosquitoes.

RELATED TOPICS: What you should know about the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever

According to the CDC, there is currently no evidence that the Oropouche virus has spread in the United States. The virus has been reported in parts of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Symptoms of Oropouche virus infection include fever, headache, chills, body aches and joint pain. However, some people may experience more serious illnesses, including meningitis, encephalitis or bleeding complications. Deaths from Oropouche virus infection are rare.

In the United States, at least 21 cases of Oropouche have been reported in travelers returning from Cuba. More than 8,000 cases of Oropouche virus infection have been reported worldwide this year, including two deaths.

Five cases of transmission during pregnancy were associated with fetal death or birth defects. Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba have reported locally transmitted cases. In the United States and Europe, travel-related cases were identified in people returning from Cuba and Brazil in 2024.

“If you plan to travel to countries where there are locally transmitted cases of the oropouche virus, you should take steps to prevent insect bites while you are abroad and for three weeks after you return. If you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about your travel plans and reconsider non-essential travel to Cuba,” said Kris Bryant, M.D., associate medical director of the LMPHW and pediatric infectious disease specialist at Norton Children's. “Remember, no matter where you live – or where you are traveling – you should always protect yourself from insects that can transmit disease.”

There are no vaccines to prevent infection with the Oropouche virus, nor are there any medications to treat the disease. The best way to prevent the virus is to protect yourself from insect bites.

“You can prevent insect bites by using an EPA-approved insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when possible, and taking extra precautions — such as avoiding outdoor activities — during peak biting times. For mosquitoes, that's the early morning hours and dusk,” said Matt Vanderpool, environmental health specialist at LMPHW. “For mosquitoes, you can also prevent breeding grounds by regularly removing standing water from all areas around your home, including tires, flower pot saucers, and gutter extension pipes.”

People who have recently traveled to an area where the Oropouche virus is transmitted are also advised to use insect repellent for three weeks after their return to prevent the spread of the virus to other people through midges or mosquitoes.