New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Surveillance and Testing Capabilities Lead to Identification of Rare Virus

Study Published in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Department Issues Joint Health Advisory to Health Care Providers Related to Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 12, 2024) – New York State Department of Health today announced state researchers have co-authored a study on their work detecting and monitoring for Oropouche virus based on surveillance and laboratory capabilities at the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center. The study, co-authored with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health, describes the first detections of Oropouche virus in the United States associated with travel. It was published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

"Researchers with the State Department of Health and the Department's Wadsworth Center are once again at the forefront of surveillance and detection, allowing us to respond quickly to emerging potential threats," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "New York State is a global travel destination, so it's vital we remain vigilant and encourage providers to ask their ill patients about places they have recently traveled."

Oropouche virus is endemic to Central and South America and the Caribbean, and spreads to humans through bites from infected midges and potentially some mosquito species. While concern for disease transmission outside of these areas is low, travelers can become infected, showing symptoms when they return home. Because New York—New York City in particular—is a busy international travel hub, the Department maintains the ability to test for many exotic illnesses when travel and symptoms warrant.

The New York case discussed in the MMWR publication had recently traveled to Cuba and became symptomatic. The case was detected in July of 2024. The patient shared their symptoms and travel history with their physician, and testing for Oropouche at the Wadsworth Center indicated that the patient was exposed to the virus. Test results at CDC confirmed these results.

In the last 25 years, cases of Oropouche virus disease have been identified in many countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, and Peru. Since late 2023, outbreaks of Oropouche have been reported in several countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In June 2024, Cuba reported its first confirmed Oropouche case.

Oropouche virus disease is typically mild, however two deaths were reported in previously healthy young persons in Brazil and there's concern the disease may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The New York patient has recovered.

This case of Oropouche virus is not likely to pose a concern for transmission within New York State. The midges and mosquitoes thought to be involved in transmission are currently not present in the state. However, the Department's ability to investigate and test for Oropouche and other exotic or emerging illnesses without relying on other organizations provides an advantage that other states may not have. It allows for more rapid identification of pathogens, and therefore the ability to respond to them, potentially preventing future cases.

The State Department of Health and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have issued a joint health advisory to health care providers related to the increased Oropouche virus activity and associated risk to travelers. CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice concerning travel to locations where Oropouche virus is currently prevalent. Travelers are encouraged to take precautions to minimize insect bites, and pregnant people are encouraged to reconsider non-essential travel to these same areas. 

Health care providers should consider several mosquito-borne diseases when patients present with appropriate symptoms and travel history. Patients with dengue fever can present with similar symptoms and dengue should be ruled out before Oropouche virus testing is considered. All suspected mosquito-borne illnesses should be reported to the local health department where the patient resides.