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The virus behind an outbreak in Brazil can spread from mother to fetus

Transmission of Oropouche to the womb means it has a feature in common with Zika and dengue

a picture of a midge, which is a very small fly, that transmits the Oropouche virus

Oropouche virus is primarily spread by infected Culicoides paraensis midges. These very small biting flies are only a few millimeters in length.

CDC

By Aimee Cunningham

A virus that caused a large outbreak in Brazil this year can spread from a pregnant woman to the fetus. The confirmation of several cases of transmission to the womb means that the virus, called Oropouche, has a feature in common with two other insect-borne viruses, Zika and dengue.