MICROBIOLOGY

• Oropouche virus (OROV) is a zoonotic arbovirus that infects animals and humans. It is borne by biting midges and possibly mosquitoes.
  • Single-strand, segmented (3), negative-sense RNA virus is a member of the Orthobunyavirus genus.
    
    • OROV reassortants described causing human infection, including Madre de Dios and Iquitos viruses.
  • Reservoir: non-human primates, wild birds and sloths
    • The transmission cycle is poorly understood; perhaps other reservoirs are not yet described.
  • Main vectors: biting midges, small blood-sucking flies (Culicoides paraensis)--also known as no-see-ums--are likely the primary vector (bite most vigorously at dusk and dawn but can bite throughout the night and during the day); also, mosquitoes that bite primarily from dusk until dawn (Culex quinquefasciatus, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, and Aedes serratus)
  • Evidence from Brazil strongly supports that vertical transmission can occur with a risk of pregnancy wastage.