MINSA confirms 34 cases of the Oopoucouche virus in Darién

The Ministry of Health through the Department of Epidemiology of the General Directorate of Public Health, informs the population to detect an outbreak of the Oropouche virus in the province of Darién.
It was up to the Deputy Minister of Health, Manuel Zambrano, to announce that the detection of positive cases suggests that the Oropouche outbreak continues actively in the affected area.
Zambrano indicated that, according to the report of the Gorgas Commemorative Institute, a total of 58 samples of febrile patients were collected in the Metetí Health Center, the samples were taken by doctors from the health center and the Gorgas research team.
Of a total of 58 patients evaluated by polymerase chain reaction tests (RRT-PCR), a total of 34 sera of these patients were positive.
The main symptoms detected in these people were: fever with 97% and headache with 94.1%.
The age group between 40 and 49 years is the most affected with an attack rate of 87.5%.
On the other hand, Blas Ariente, head of epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, indicated that the positive cases by Oroopouche correspond to the corregimientos of the Darién health region, distributed as follows: I put 27 cases; Yaviza 3 cases; Iglesias River 2 cases; White slabs 1 case and 1 case to be determined.
Ariente, he said that there is no specific treatment or vaccine to treat this virus. Rest, hydration and medications for high fever and pain is recommended.
Clinical symptoms associated with virus include high fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, photophobia and, in some cases, mild neurological manifestations. Although it is not usually deadly, the impact on the quality of life and health systems can be significant due to its high morbidity.
This virus has a high propagation potential, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas.
The Ministry of Health continues health surveillance in the province of Darién, to determine risk factors and virus expansion to other areas of the country and identify potential vectors in the affected area.
We recommend that the population go to health facilities, if you present some of the symptoms.