Cases of the Oropouche virus (OROV) emerging in Europe have health officials on high alert.

As of the end of July, 19 cases had been reported with 12 in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany, per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The disease is typically spread through bites from mosquitoes and midges (small flies, particularly the Culicoides paraensis species), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WEST NILE DEATH REPORTED IN TEXAS AS HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN RESIDENTS TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST MOSQUITOES

Since first emerging in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955, the Oropouche virus has had "limited circulation" in regions of South America, particularly in forested areas.

Three-toed sloths and birds have been identified as "natural reservoirs" for Oropouche, which means they act as hosts of the disease.

"The virus doesn't spread from person to person," Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, confirmed to Fox News Digital.

TIGER MOSQUITOES BLAMED FOR SPREAD OF DENGUE FEVER: ‘MOST INVASIVE SPECIES’

On Aug. 1, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert urging countries to "strengthen surveillance and implement laboratory diagnosis for the identification and characterization of cases … potentially associated with OROV infection."

By the end of July, there were 8,078 confirmed cases of Oropouche virus in five countries, including Bolivia (356), Brazil (7,284, with two deaths), Colombia (74), Cuba (74) and Peru (290), as reported by the PAHO.

"Experts fear that if the current outbreak of Oropouche fever expands further, it could overwhelm South America's already stretched health care system," according to an article published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases on Aug. 8.

The PAHO’s alert also warned of cases of the virus in Brazil that were transmitted from pregnant women to their fetuses in Brazil.

IN A POTENTIAL OUTBREAK, IS BIRD FLU TESTING AVAILABLE FOR HUMANS? WHAT TO KNOW

"These cases are under investigation," the CDC stated on its website, noting that the agency is working with PAHO and "other international partners" to assess potential risks the virus presents during pregnancy.

Siegel said, "There is some risk to the fetus in terms of birth defects."

OROV, which is classified as an arbovirus, is often mistaken for other similar viruses, like Zika, dengue, chikungunya and malaria, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints and chills.

Some may develop a rash that begins on the torso and spreads to other body parts.

Symptoms usually begin within four to eight days of being bitten, and last for three to six days.

"Symptoms can abate and reoccur," Siegel noted.

In severe cases, patients may develop meningitis, encephalitis or other "neuroinvasive" diseases, the CDC stated.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health

For those patients, symptoms can include intense headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, lethargy, stiff neck and involuntary eye movements. 

"Around 4% of patients develop [neurologic symptoms] after the first febrile illness," Siegel said.

Most people who contract Oropouche will recover on their own without any long-term effects, the CDC stated.

"There are no vaccines for prevention and no treatments," Siegel said.

The best means of prevention is to avoid bites from midges and mosquitoes, according to experts.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"People are advised to take preventive measures, including the use of repellents, clothing that covers legs and arms, and fine mesh mosquito nets, and to take extra precautions during outbreaks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women," the PAHO advised in its alert.

Supportive care can include rest, fluids and medications to reduce fever and alleviate pain.

"Patients who develop more severe symptoms should be hospitalized for close observation and supportive treatment," the agency stated.

There have been "very few" deaths reported from Oropouche, the CDC noted.

Those who are experiencing symptoms and have risk factors can contact their local health department for testing.

"Clinicians in these areas where importation has occurred may not be familiar with this infection and need to be alert to its possibility," Dr. Amesh Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore, told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for comment.

The arrest followed the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence—a Bluetooth device left at the crime scene. This small but vital clue played a pivotal role in leading investigators to Roy. Detailed forensic analysis linked the device to Roy, who had been observed in CCTV footage near the seminar hall around the time of the crime. Roy was arrested on Saturday and was sent to 14-day police custody. He confessed to the crime

As per sources, Sanjay Roy was a civic volunteer. Though officially termed as civic volunteers, many still refer to them as “civic police”, which was originally created in Bengal to assist the police and also a part of a powerful police welfare board. Since he was a civic volunteer, Roy had an easy access in the hospital. He was seen entering the hospital at around 4 am and leaving leaving the premises early on Friday morning. 

The accused was charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of BNS and was produced before Sealdah court, which remanded him to police custody till August 23.

The victim, a 31-year-old doctor, was found deceased in a seminar hall at the hospital on Friday morning. The initial autopsy of the post-graduate trainee doctor indicated that she was murdered after being sexually assaulted. There was bleeding from the woman's private parts, said the report. There were injuries to other parts of the body as well

"This is definitely not a case of suicide; the woman was murdered following sexual assault," a police officer told news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, In response to the incident, junior doctors and students at various state-run hospitals, including RG Kar Medical College, National Medical College, and Medical College, Kolkata, held protest sit-ins and processions. Similar protests also took place at district hospitals such as Bardhaman Medical College and Bankura Sammilani Medical College. Protests and pen-down strikes are being continued in various parts of the country

Maintaining that protests and processions by junior doctors demanding exemplary punishment for the accused and enhanced security at hospitals were justified, the Chief Minister of the state urged the doctors to also carry on giving healthcare services to patients.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced to seek a death penalty for the perpetrator. Her announcement came shortly after the accused, who was reportedly an outsider frequenting the hospital premises, was arrested and later remanded to 14-day police custody.

RG Kar Medical College MS Removed

The West Bengal health department has ordered the removal of Dr. Sanjay Vashisth from his position as medical superintendent-cum-vice principal. Dr. Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, the dean of student affairs, has been appointed to take over Vashisth's responsibilities. Dr. Vashisth has been reassigned as a professor at the National Medical College & Hospital.

Nationwide Shutdown on Monday

Sunday saw a continued protest from doctors from all medical colleges in West Bengal. Protesters at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata raised safety concerns, citing the absence of CCTV in sensitive areas, tout rackets, inadequate restrooms for on-call doctors, and poor screening of outsiders. 

Meanwhile, resident doctors associations ( RDA) and medical associations across the country are coming in support of Kolkata Doctors. The RDAs of several major hospitals, including VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, UCMS & GTBH, and ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital, have issued statements expressing their outrage and demanding justice. These associations have collectively decided to halt all elective services, including OPDs, elective OTs, and ward duties, while ensuring that emergency services remain operational.

Doctors are demanding Immediate and Impartial Investigation, Enhanced Security for Healthcare Workers, No Police Brutality or Mistreatment of protesting doctors, stating the nationwide strike will continue until these demands are met  

Swaminathan also directed the authorities to relieve the doctor from bond service.

After completing MBBS, the petitioner doctor got admitted to MD Paediatrics course at Changalpattu Medical College Hospital. At the time of admission she executed a bond undertaking to serve the State of Tamil Nadu for two years after completion of the course. In the event of failure to honour the undertaking, the petitioner was liable to pay a sum of Rs 40 lakhs towards liquidated damages. Later, the bond period was reduced to one year and the quantum of the damages to Rs 20 lakhs.

However, the petitioner doctor argued that while pursuing her PG medical education, she rendered "covid duty", which she wanted to be treated as bond service. She relied on the certificate issued by the Dean of the Medical College in this regard. She argued that this certificate was issued to avail incentive marks in the recruitment process being conducted by MRB for the post of Assistant Surgeon.

At this outset, the bench referred to the court order dated 25.04.2024 in the case of Dr. Yedupati Kondala Rao where after referring to the earlier orders passed by the Madras High Court, the court had concluded that the covid duty performed by the P.G. students shall be treated as bond service.

"Having held so, the question of going into the purpose of issuance of certificate need not be gone into. I however refrain from going into the factual aspects," observed the Court.

Noting that only the Dean of the college could certify the period for which the petitioner rendered COVID duty, the Court further observed that the counsel for the authorities pointed out that the certificate relief by the petitioner made it appear as if she had done COVID duty up to 15.05.2023. 

"Of-course, this is improbable. It is for this reason, I leave it to the fourth respondent to re-visit the issue and determine the actual period for which the petitioner carried out covid duty," the Court observed in this regard.

However, going back to the primary issue- the question of whether there can be a lien on the petitioner's certificates, the bench cited the Supreme Court's order in the case of R.D. Saxena vs Balram Prasad Sharma and the single-bench HC order in the case of A. John Paul Vs. State of Tamil Nadu.

Holding that educational certificates cannot be retained, the single judge bench had specifically held that the Certificates, Mark Sheets, and Conduct Certificates are all properties which cannot be transferred at all. The property which is transferable alone can be transferred. Even by means of an agreement a property which cannot be transferred cannot be a subject of transfer under the guise of the agreement.

"The right of lien has been set out in Sections 170, 171 and 221 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Section 170 talks about Bailee's particular lien. Section 221 states that Agent has lien on the principal's property under certain circumstances. Obviously, the respondents are neither “bailees” nor “agents”," the Court observed.

The Court noted that the authorities argued that since there was an express contract providing for lien, they were entitled to retain the certificates of the petitioner. "This argument overlooks a fundamental element. Section 171 which can be the only source of the right of lien makes abundantly clear that this right can be exercised only on goods. R.D.Saxena had already authoritatively laid down what can be characterized as goods. The defence of the respondents fails the Saxena test," the Court observed in this context.

Therefore, granting relief to the doctor, the Court also directed the authorities to formally relieve the petitioner from the bonded service. It ordered,

  "I hold that the respondents cannot exercise the right of lien over the petitioner's educational certificates. The fourth respondent is directed to return the petitioner's original certificates forthwith and without delay. The second respondent is directed to formally relieve the petitioner from the bonded service. This shall be done within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order."

To read the order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/madras-high-court-order-247254.pdf

Also Read: Medical Degree Certificate not Marketable Commodity, cannot be withheld for unfulfilled bond terms: HC