Public Health Risk Assessment related to Oropouche Virus (OROV) in the Region of the Americas - 3 August 2024

Due to recent highly concerning changes in the observed clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Oropouche fever, a disease caused by the Oropouche virus (OROV), in countries within the Region of the Americas—including the recent increase and expansion of cases in newly recorded areas, outside of the regions previously considered to be endemic of OROV, the first-ever reported occurrence of deaths associated with OROV infection, and the identification of potential cases of vertical transmission related to fetal deaths and newborn microcephaly cases—and acknowledging that these observations are still in the initial stages of investigation and the true trajectory is unknown, the risk level for the Region has been upgraded to High. This is based on the current and available information, with a moderate level of confidence and out of an abundance of caution. This regional public health rapid risk assessment (RRA) complements and updates the RRA conducted on 9 February 2024.

This RRA aims to update the current regional risk assessment related to OROV.