The Health Ministry says there have been no reported cases of the Mayaro and Oropouche virus in T&T since their discovery here in the 1950s.

It adds that it is closely monitoring the emergence of both viruses, which pose potential health risks to the population of T&T and the wider Caribbean.

These arbo-viral diseases are spread primarily by the Aedes aegypti, Culex mosquitoes, as well as midge insect flies.

According to the Ministry, PAHO has reported 10,275 confirmed cases of the Oropouche virus, including two deaths, across nine countries in the Americas from January 1st to October 5th 2024.

Symptoms for both the Oropouche and the Mayaro viruses mimic those of Dengue, leading to potential underreporting.

The Ministry says its surveillance efforts continue to target patients who have been tested for Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.