Replication-Competent Oropouche Virus in Semen of Traveler Returning to Italy from Cuba, 2024

Abstract

A febrile man in Italy who had traveled to Cuba in July 2024 was diagnosed with Oropouche fever. Reverse transcription PCR detected prolonged shedding of Oropouche virus RNA in whole blood, serum, urine, and semen. Sixteen days after symptom onset, replication-competent virus was detected in semen, suggesting risk for sexual transmission.

Keywords

• Oropouche virus
• bunyaviridae infections
• semen
• isolation and purification
• arboviruses
• reproductive health