Oropouche in Cuba

Level 4 - Avoid All Travel
Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel
Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions
Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions
Areas of Cuba with reported cases of Oropouche
Map: Areas in Cuba with reported cases of Oropouche (see larger map)
What is Oropouche?

Oropouche is a disease caused by Oropouche virus. It is spread primarily through the bites of infected biting midges (small flies) and mosquitoes. Oropouche virus has been found in semen. It is unknown if Oropouche can be spread through sex.

Symptoms of Oropouche include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light. Severe cases may result in neuroinvasive disease such as meningitis.

Symptoms typically start 3–10 days after being bitten and last 3–6 days. Most people recover without long-term effects. There is no specific treatment for Oropouche.

Key points

  • There is an outbreak of Oropouche in Cuba (see map).
  • Multiple cases of Oropouche have recently been reported in U.S. and European travelers returning from travel to Cuba indicating there is ongoing risk.
  • Oropouche is spread primarily by the bite of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes.
  • Oropouche virus has been found in semen, but it is unknown if it can be spread through sex. No cases of sexual transmission of Oropouche virus have been reported.
  • Travelers to affected areas should:
  • All travelers to Cuba should take steps to prevent bug bites during travel to protect themselves from infection.
  • Pregnant people should reconsider non-essential travel to Cuba. If travel is unavoidable, these travelers should strictly follow Oropouche prevention recommendations.
  • Illness can occur in people of any age and is often mistaken for dengue.

Current Situation

During the summer of 2024, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued several epidemiological alerts about Oropouche cases, including deaths, in the Americas. There were also concerns about an increase of possible cases of Oropouche virus being passed from a pregnant person to their fetus associated with fetal deaths and congenital abnormalities. CDC is working with PAHO and other international partners to learn more about the potential risks of Oropouche during pregnancy.

What Travelers Can Do to Protect Themselves and Others

  • All travelers to Cuba should take steps to prevent bug bites during travel to protect themselves from infection. They should also prevent bug bites for 3 weeks after travel to avoid possibly spreading the virus to others in the U.S.
    • Pregnant people should reconsider non-essential travel to Cuba. If travel is unavoidable, these travelers should strictly follow Oropouche prevention recommendations.
  • While it is unknown if Oropouche can be spread by sex, travelers and their partners concerned about possibly spreading Oropouche through sex, can consider using condoms or not having sex during travel and for 6 weeks after returning from travel.
  • Travelers who develop high fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light during or within 2 weeks after travel should:
    • Seek medical care immediately and tell their healthcare provider when and where they traveled. Learn how to seek medical care during travel.
    • Not take aspirin or other NSAIDS (e.g., ibuprofen) to reduce the risk of bleeding.
    • Continue to prevent bug bites during the first week of illness to avoid further spread in areas where mosquitoes or biting midges are active.
    • Male travelers who have symptoms or are diagnosed with Oropouche should review additional prevention recommendations related to sexual transmission and possible semen donation.

For Clinicians

  • Healthcare providers should inform people who are pregnant and considering travel to areas with reported Oropouche virus transmission of the possible risks to the fetus. If a person who is pregnant decides to travel, counsel them to prevent bug bites.
  • A recent publication describes a patient with Oropouche virus disease who had virus and viral RNA detected in bodily fluids, including semen. There have been no reports of transmission of Oropouche virus through sexual activity to date. CDC has interim recommendations for how to counsel patients on possible sexual transmission.

Traveler Information

Clinician Information