introduction in a concerning development a little known virus the orop pouch virus is making headlines as it spreads rapidly across South America and Beyond with over 8,000 reported cases this year alone Health officials are raising alarms the Pan-American Health Organization has even issued an epidemiological alert warning that this one smile disease is now showing signs of becoming more severe what is the orop pouch virus discovered in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955 the orop pouch virus has since affected about 500 th000 people although historically mild with symptoms similar to Deni and zika recent cases have shown more severe outcomes including nervous system infections like menitis and incilius this has raised concerns about the virus's true impact especially as it spreads to new regions how does it spread the virus is primarily spread through insect bites especially from biting midges and certain mosquitoes it's endemic to the Amazon basin but as climate change and deforestation continue the risk of the virus spreading to more urban areas increases already loc Al acquired cases have been reported in Bolivia Brazil Columbia Cuba and Peru with travel related cases emerging in the United States and Europe what's happening now this year marks the first time deaths have been reported from the Ora pouch virus and there's evidence that the disease can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her feetus leading to severe birst defects with more severe cases being reported the need for increased surveillance and research is more urgent than ever how to protect yourself unfortunately there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for orap pouch virus prevention is key avoid insect bites by using mosquito repellent wearing protective clothing and staying indoors during Peak mosquito activity times pregnant women should take extra precautions especially when traveling to affected areas inclusion as the oropo virus continues to spread staying inform formed and taking precautions is essential the situation is evolving and health officials are closely monitoring the outbreak for now awareness and prevention are the best defenses against this emerging threat