Individuals arriving from Central or South America are recommended to seek medical attention if they experience high fever, aches, or chills following reports of the first fatalities from oropouche fever, which is endemic to the region.
Health Permanent Secretary Opas Karnkawinpong issued this advisory on Wednesday.
On July 25, Brazil reported two deaths attributed to oropouche fever, both involving women under 30 years of age residing in Bahia state. These individuals exhibited severe symptoms similar to those of dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Oropouche fever, an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes, was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955 and has since spread through Central and South America, with Brazil recording the highest number of cases at 7,236. However, prior to July 25, there had been no reported fatalities associated with the disease.
Dr. Opas noted that there have been no outbreaks in Asia or other continents.
He explained that oropouche fever is caused by a virus transmitted by midges (Culicoides paraensis), but neither the virus nor the midges have been detected in Thailand.
