The Ministry of Health has confirmed two deaths from Oropouche fever in Bahia. These fatalities are unprecedented in scientific literature. The Bahia State Health Department investigated the cases and recorded the deaths, awaiting confirmation from the Ministry of Health. The victims were two women, aged 22 and 24, from Camamu and Valença, respectively, with no underlying health conditions.
The Ministry of Health expanded the detection of Oropouche fever cases nationwide in 2023 by providing diagnostic tests to all Central Public Health Laboratories (Lacen) for the first time. Previously, cases were mostly in Northern Brazil. This year, 7,236 cases have been reported across 20 states, with the majority in Amazonas and Rondônia.
A preliminary article, posted on July 16 and signed by 20 specialists, analyzes these two deaths in Bahia. It highlights the urgent need for an effective surveillance system to control the virus spread. According to the publication, the first death occurred on March 27 in Valença. The patient showed symptoms starting March 23, including fever, headache, muscle pain, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, retro-orbital pain, and vomiting.
The second patient began experiencing symptoms on June 5, including fever, muscle pain, headache, retro-orbital pain, lower limb pain, fatigue, and joint pain. Four days later, she developed a red rash, purple spots, and bleeding from the nose, gums, and vagina.
