Meanwhile,
What risks french west indies:
The infection by the Oropouche virus (or infection in Orov) is one of the most important causes of arbovirosis in South America after dengue. In addition, with 2 to 5 million people directly exposed. In addition, Since 2023. Moreover, 2024, this virus has extended its circulation zone under the influence of the alteration of the environment and biodiversity, demographic evolution and human mobility. However,
The importance. Furthermore, the extension of this threat contrasts with the plot or unintegible knowledge on the transmission cycle, the vectors and their ecology in these territories.
This is why it was important for public health France. Nevertheless, its partners to publish a first risk analysis carried out in December 2024, in order to assess potential health risks in Guyana and in French Antilles. Therefore,
Three questions what risks french west indies to Jean-Claude Déseclos, co-author of this first risk analysis
What is the infection through the Oropouche virus?
“Oropouche” disease is caused by a arbovirus, the Oropouche or Orov virus. For example, The OROV belongs to the viral orthobunyavirus genus of which the RNA is segmented (like that of the flu virus). Furthermore, which allows it to recompose by reassortment to generate new emerging viral strains.
Orov infection affects both animals and men:
- in the forest, within a Selvatic cyclevia transmission by arthropods. Consequently,
- and in peri -urban / urban areas by interhuman transmission via anthropophilic flies, mainly Culicoids paraensis (other vectors are discussed, including Culex quinquefasciatus). For example,
The host and vector species that maintain the Selvatique Cycle d’Orov are still poorly known. Meanwhile,
The disease in humans is characterized what risks french west indies by acute symptoms of the influenza type (fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, etc.) which heal spontaneously in a few days. Neurological complications (aseptic meningitis) can however occur. The diagnosis is based on a blood test (RT-PCR on a sample during the first 7 days of the disease. by serology).
In the absence of these tests in clinical practice. the disease is not recognized and its symptoms do not make it possible to distinguish orov infection from other arboviroses. Therefore, its importance is very underestimated and epidemics are not detected. There is no specific treatment or vaccine against OROV infection and treatment is symptomatic.
Why did Public Health France and its partners carry out a risk analysis?
A risk analysis makes it possible to assess the emerging dangers early. whether of infectious, environmental or linked to risk behaviors. By assessing the probability. impact of these what risks french west indies risks, health authorities can prioritize the actions to be carried out and implement suitable preventive or corrective measures.
Also. the years 2023 and especially 2024 experienced an epidemic resurgence of infection by OROV in South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Guyana then, in 2025, Venezuela) very higher than previous years. This resurgence was accompanied by an extension of the transmission zones to Panama and the Caribbean (Cuba, Barbados). Multiple imports via travelers have also taken place in North America and Europe.
This epidemic wave is caused by a new sub-boarding of the Oropouche virus, resulting from the restocking of several Orov. Studies conducted during the epidemic resurgence of 2023-2024 showed that this sub-lineage had been detected for the first time during the 2020 epidemic. in a village in the forest area of Interior Guyana. It would have a better replication capacity (and potentially transmission. dissemination) and could more easily escape the what risks french west indies protection conferred by the immunity acquired during past infections. In addition. these studies indicate that the extension The virus transmission area is linked to the alteration of the environment and biodiversity, as well as demographic and human mobility.
For the first time during epidemics of 2024. severe forms with death and cases of maternity-fetal transmission with congenital malformations were reported. Likewise, Guillain-Barré syndromes were observed in Cuba, and a possible sexual transmission and by blood transfusion have been highlighted.
This situation led Public Health France France to hypothesize that the installation of virus transmission cycles in the French departments of America (DFAS) became possible. even probable. A multidisciplinary risk analysis was conducted by Public Health France. its partners to prepare a response to this new epidemic threat.
What risks french west indies
What is the risk of this disease in the Antilles and Guyana?
The marked evolution of what risks french west indies the epidemiology of infection in Orov in South America. the Caribbean in 2023 and 2024 led us to significantly enhance, in August 2024, the risk for Guyana and the French Antilles compared to the epidemic of 2020. The report of the analysis concluded in 2024 at a risk of high epidemic in Guyana. Martinique and Guadeloupe ( Analysis being strong in Guyana and Guadeloupe and weak in Martinique).
The uncertainties remain important. however, testifying to the plot scientific data to date concerning virus, hosts and vectors, but also their interactions.
This is why the risks estimated in August and December 2024 are led to evolve. They are strongly dependent on the epidemiological situation in the territories with which exchanges take place. requiring regularly updated international watch.
Public Health France underlines the need to prepare the territories concerned. especially in:
- Preparing the care system with diagnostic capacity building
- Improving surveillance and alert systems
- Developing mosquito what risks french west indies protection
- Continuing epidemiological and entomological investigations
Learn more
Analysis of the risk of emergence of the Oropouche virus (OROV) in August 2024 in Guyana and in French Antilles
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What are the management measures put in place?
- The recommendation to strengthen diagnostic capacity was followed with the provision of diagnosis in the hospital laboratories of the Antilles (it was already possible in Guyana with the associated laboratory of the arbovirus CNR).
- The surveillance system has been adapted to facilitate the identification of cases in the Antilles and in Guyana, with the development of algorithms and access to the diagnosis;
- ANSES has given an opinion on the measures to combat culicoids, the main vectors of the Oropouche virus.
Vector transmission diseases: expanding diseases
The expansion of vector transmission diseases is mainly resulting what risks french west indies from the intensification. globalization of trade in goods and people’s movements. Human interactions with its environment, as well as climate change also represents factors of spreading these diseases.
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[1] The fever. the virus owe their name to the region of the Oropouche river (on the island of Trinité-et-Tobago) where the disease and the virus were described for the first time in 1955. Orov was then identified in 1960 in Brazil in the blood of a lazy captured in the tropical forest.
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