Virus spreading in Latin America may cause stillbirths and birth defects.

The Oropouche virus, a little-known virus on the rise in South and Central America, may cause stillbirths and neurological defects in babies infected in the womb, according to the Brazilian health ministry. Four cases of microcephaly, a type of reduced brain development, have been reported in newborns born from infected mothers, along with one fetal death that may be associated with the virus. The Pan American Health Organization has issued an alert asking other countries to be on the lookout for similar cases. The virus is transmitted primarily by a pinhead-sized midge and can cause sudden fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Further studies are needed to establish a causal relationship between Oropouche infection during pregnancy and neurological malformations in babies. Preventive measures, such as avoiding areas with many midges and using insect repellent, are recommended as there are currently no vaccines or drugs for Oropouche. [Extracted from the article]