Charting the Proteins of Oropouche Virus

Abstract

The Oropouche virus (OROV) is responsible for the disease Oropouche fever, also known as sloth fever. This virus is currently endemic to the Americas and is transmitted primarily through midges and mosquitoes. Recently, an increase in cases has been noted among American and European tourists visiting Cuba, likely due to environmental changes that have led to a rise in midge populations. These climatic shifts have exacerbated the spread of the virus. OROV is classified as an enveloped virus with a tripartite genome, which consists of three distinct single-stranded, negative-sense RNA segments. Despite its growing significance, there are no vaccines available to protect against OROV, and human-to-human transmission has not been documented to date. However, the absence of effective diagnostics and preventive measures poses a significant public health challenge. This paper seeks to address this critical gap by providing a detailed analysis of the structure and epitopes of OROV's major proteins. By elucidating these molecular features, the study aims to lay the groundwork for the development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines. Such advancements could play a crucial role in controlling the spread of OROV and reducing its impact on both human and animal populations.