Background Information and Frequently Asked Questions

ATTACHMENT 8. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

INVESTIGATION INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

To be read by STLT health department staff or included at the top of an emailed or mailed message:

[State health department] and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are doing an investigation to learn more about Oropouche virus. We are contacting people who have been sick because of the virus to learn more about their illness. We also want to learn more about how the virus might be spread. We invite you to be part of the investigation because of your recent diagnosis with Oropouche.

If STLT health department staff are conducting the interview: Is now a good time to tell you more about the investigation? [If yes, move to consent, Appendix B. If no, determine if another time might work or if they do not wish to participate, thank them for their time].

If CDC conducting interview: A staff member from CDC will be calling you shortly to see if you are interested in taking part in the investigation. If you do not want to be contacted, please email [email protected], noting you are not interested.

Information to be shared via mail or email for those who will be contacted by CDC.

What is Oropouche?

Oropouche is caused by a virus. The virus is spread by infected biting midges and sometimes by mosquitoes. Most people who are infected with the virus will feel sick. Common symptoms include fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and joint pain. Symptoms often last <1 week (2–7 days) but often can reoccur a few days or weeks later. Most people with Oropouche recover within several days to one month. Recently, scientists found that the virus can be passed from a pregnant person to their fetus. This has caused the fetus to die or babies to be born with birth defects like microcephaly. Microcephaly is a birth defect where the head and brain of the baby does not develop normally. Also the virus was recently found in semen. This raises concern that the virus can be spread through sex.

Why is this investigation being done?

From late 2023–2024, Oropouche has been found in several countries where it hasn’t been seen before with >10,000 people getting sick. U.S. travelers have gotten sick. While virus that causes Oropouche is not currently spreading in the United States, it could because the bugs that spread the virus are in the United States. There is a lot that we still don’t know about this virus. The purpose of this investigation is to better understand Oropouche and the ways it can spread. This information will help public health staff and doctors recognize, test, and treat people with Oropouche. The information also will be used to let people know how to protect themselves and others from getting sick.

Where could I/did I get infected with Oropouche virus?

There is no evidence that Oropouche virus has been spread in the United States. Oropouche virus has been found in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Visit CDC's Travelers' Health website (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices) for any active Oropouche Travel Health Notices and review the map below to determine if your destination has had recent Oropouche virus transmission.

How can I prevent passing Oropouche to others?

For up to three weeks after infection, Oropouche virus can be found in the blood and semen. The virus can be passed from an infected person to another midge or mosquito through bug bites. The infected bug can then spread the virus to other people. To help prevent others from getting sick, avoid bug bites (see below) during the first three weeks of illness.

We do not know if Oropouche virus can be spread through sex. You should use a condom correctly every time you have sex or not have sex for 6 weeks after you first became unwell. We do not know for how long the virus will remain in semen or vaginal secretions.

How can I protect others from becoming infected with Oropouche virus?

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Oropouche. The best way people can protect themselves is by preventing bug bites. Actions to prevent bug bites include:

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. Look for EPA-registered repellents labeled for flies, biting flies, or Culicoides (biting midges, punkies, granny nippers, and no-see-ums).

• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

• Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep bugs outside.

• Use a fan when outside.

For anyone diagnosed with Oropouche, they should not have sex or use a condom every time they have sex for at least 6 weeks following their illness onset. This will prevent potentially passing the virus through sex.

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 8.0

For sexual contact of confirmed OROV cases

To be read by STLT health department staff or included at the top of an emailed or mailed message:

[State health department] and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are doing an investigation to learn more about Oropouche virus. We are contacting people who have been sick because of the virus and people who were exposed to people who were sick. We want to learn more about how the virus might be spread. We invite you to be part of the investigation because you were exposed to someone diagnosed with Oropouche.

If STLT health department staff are conducting the interview: Is now a good time to tell you more about the investigation? [If yes, move to consent, Appendix D. If no, determine if another time might work or if they do not wish to participate, thank them for their time].

If CDC conducting interview: A staff member from CDC will be calling you shortly to see if you are interested in taking part in the investigation. If you do not want to be contacted, please email [email protected], noting you are not interested.

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