Overview

• The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed three travel-related oropouche virus infections in holidaymakers who recently returned from Brazil.
• Patients typically develop sudden fever, headache, joint pain, rash and other flu-like symptoms four to eight days after being bitten by midges or mosquitoes.
• Symptoms generally resolve within a week but recur in about 60% of cases and can rarely trigger severe neurological conditions such as meningitis or Guillain–Barré syndrome.
• There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for oropouche virus, so care focuses on rest, hydration and over-the-counter pain relief.
• UKHSA advises travellers from affected regions to use insect repellent with at least 50% DEET, wear protective clothing and mention recent travel history when seeking medical attention.