OROPOUCHE VIRUS: MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS

Zoonoses. 2024 Jan;4(1):24. doi: 10.15212/zoonoses-2024-0006. Epub 2024 Jul 30.

Abstract

Oropouche virus (genus Orthobunyavirus, family Peribunyaviridae) is an arthropod-borne virus that infects several species of animals and humans mostly in South America. Despite being described as a human pathogen over 60 years ago, little progress has been made towards the ecological and pathological aspects of this pathogen. However, with recent viral spread northward reaching Haiti and Cuba, it has been receiving more attention, evidenced by the growing number of relevant research articles. This commentary article provides the summary of the potential natural reservoirs and the expansion of endemic regions within the context of One Health. The clinical aspects of the human infection are revisited and discussed based on the latest evidence. The article briefly review research on the molecular virology and the pathology, highlighting unanswered questions crucial for comprehensive understanding of this viral disease, which imposes a significant burden on the affected populations.

Keywords: Host-pathogen interactions; OROV; One-Health; Orthobunyavirus; vectors; vertebrate hosts.