Possibility of Invasion of Oropouche Virus (OROV) in Asia: A Real-Time Assessment is an Imperative Necessity

Abstract

Oropouche orthobunyavirus (OROV), a viral pathogen from the
Peribunyaviridae family, is emerging as a public health concern in
South and Central America, particularly Brazil and Peru, since its
identification in 1955 in South America. The virus is primarily transmitted
by the midge Culicoides paraensis, though mosquitoes like Culex
quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes albopictus might have
the potential to play roles as complementary and/ or maintenance
vectors. OROV has been reported to have infected more than half
a million people to date and causes clinical symptoms viz. fever,
headache, joint pain, and rash, similar to those of other endemic
mosquito-borne diseases, thus presenting diagnostic dilemmas. The
detection of OROV in the saliva and urine of infected individuals further
highlights its complex transmission dynamics. The reports of sloths and
primates serving as reservoir hosts in South America raise a warning
bell regarding its potential adaptability to new hosts viz. rodents and
bats if it gets introduced to Asia. Furthermore, the increasing global
trade and travel threatens to enhance the possibility of the risk of
OROV for cross-continental transmission, which has been clearly
evidenced by the recent cases reported amongst travellers returning
from South America to Europe and the United States. The diagnostic
confusion with other endemic mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and
chikungunya, complicates its detection and the ensuing control efforts.
The eco-climatic similarities between South America and Southeast
Asia strengthen the argument of the possible potential threat of OROV
establishing in Asia, especially India, where the suspected vector species
of OROV might support its transmission. There is, thus, an imperative
need for enhancing surveillance and monitoring, strengthening public
health preparedness, and undertaking research to alleviate the emerging
threat of OROV in Asia.

How to cite this article:
Bhattacharya S, Chatterjee P, Tilak R. Possibility
of Invasion of Oropouche Virus (OROV) in Asia: A
Real-Time Assessment is an Imperative Necessity.
J Commun Dis. 2025;57(1):197-202.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202525