Travellers warned as two virus outbreaks spark alarm across the world
Outbreaks of Oropouche and Mpox have triggered warnings from health authorities.
Two worrying new viruses are impacting travellers around the globe, sparking warnings from medical experts.
Alarmed by the rapid spread of Mpox, the World Health Organization declared a Health Emergency of International Concern on Thursday. But an outbreak of the little-known Oropouche virus has also been confirmed. And it’s been detected in Europe for the first time, with authorities revealing this week that 19 cases were imported from South America in June and July.
Asked about the spread of Oropouche virus, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it keeps all Smartraveller travel advisories “under close review”.
“[This includes] regularly and carefully assessing the risks to Australians overseas and providing the latest information,” it said in a statement.
Tourists warned to avoid insects when overseas
Oropouche (pronounced o-ro-push) is spread through infected midges or mosquitoes, and the infected Europeans had recently returned from holiday in Cuba and Brazil.
The UK Health Security Agency warned travellers visiting South America to avoid insect bites, and said pregnant women should be particularly vigilant.
“The midge that carries Oropouche virus is not currently established in Europe. It is typically found in the Americas. There is no evidence that the virus can spread from person to person,” the Agency’s Dr Philip Veal said.
Related: Aussie airport identified as potential breeding site for exotic disease-carrying insect
While Oropouche has been known since 1955, it’s making headlines now because the virus has been spread to roughly 8,000 people and deaths have been recorded for the first time. Two women in Brazil were confirmed to have died from the virus in 2024 and another suspected case is under investigation.
It's speculated the outbreak could have been triggered by heavy rains associated with climate change. Increasingly hot weather is expected to eventually allow tropical diseases to become established in new places, including mainland Australia.
What are the symptoms of Oropouche virus?
Like Zika virus, it has also now been linked to miscarriage, abortion and deformities of the foetus, as it appears to be transferred from the mother to the child during pregnancy.
Seven reasons it might be time to leave Australia – from floods to fungus
Aussie treatment could fight 'big problem' killing 3.8 million a year
50-year-old discovery in Aussie museum sparks surprising whale theory
The virus is rarely fatal, but symptoms often include nausea, fever with headache, vomiting, as well as pains in the muscles and joints.
“Given the relatively high number of travellers between Europe and affected countries such as Brazil or Cuba, it is likely we will continue to see sporadic cases of Oropouche fever in returning travellers in Europe,” Dr Benjamin Brennan from MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research said.
Aussies told to be aware of mpox symptoms as cases spike
On Friday morning, the NSW Health Department issued a warning, urging the community "to be aware of symptoms of mpox following a recent increase in infections, mostly impacting men who have sex with men".
There have been 93 notifications of mpox in NSW since the start of June. Prior to that, there had only been one case detected in 2024.
NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said there have been over 15,000 cases of mpox reported in central Africa this year, many of which are due to a new strain dubbed clade 1b, which has not been detected in Australia.
“With the recent increase in cases, NSW Health is asking people who may be at risk of mpox to stay on the lookout for symptoms,” Dr McAnulty said.
“Mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, and often starts with small pimple-like skin lesions particularly in areas that are hard to see such as the genitals, anus or buttock.
“Some people experience mild fever, headache, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers or rectal pain. Mpox can spread to others until the lesions resolve.”
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.
