‘Sloth fever’ explained as new virus sweeps across the US and Europe
You probably thought we’d see the last of deadly viruses for a while, but the new ‘Sloth Fever’ is having US officials on alert.
Yes, that’s right - we have a new virus on our hands and Florida has already reported 20 travel-related cases so far, which included nine people taking ill last week in the US, according to The New York Post.
Sky News reports that 19 out of 10,000 cases reported have come from Europe - with two deaths caused by the disease also having been confirmed to have taken place in Brazil.
So, here's everything that you need to know about 'sloth fever'.
What is ‘Sloth Fever?’
'Sloth fever', or oropouche virus, is an arbovirus which means that it spreads through insect bites.
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Originating in the Americas, it’s typically transmitted through small fly bites to animals and humans too.
It's nickname of ‘sloth fever’ is due to the fact that it is found in areas where pale-throated sloths, who typically carry a huge amount of parasites, are present, Carolina Goncalves, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmica, told The Independent - though she adds the name is 'relatively misleading' due to it being spread through insect bites.
After the first case was detected in 1955 in a village close to the Oropouche River in Trinidad and Tobago, it adopted the name the ‘Oropouche virus’ too.
The cause of these outbreaks was a result of humans eating infected insects.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal notes that there have been 500,000 recorded cases since 1955 and while it largely stayed close to Latin America and the Caribbean, it has been known to reach Brazil and Peru.
Last year, there were 832 cases reported and from January of this year until now, there has since been over 8,000 cases found.
What are the symptoms?
While the incubation period is between is three to 10 days, the symptoms aren’t slow growing.
Starting off with a sudden fever and a severe headache, it can last for a week -with some people reporting to go on to experience weakness for a month afterwards.
However, there are some more serious signs to watch out for such as:
- Headaches
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fever
- Muscle soreness
- Eye pain
- Maculopapular rash
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain
What are the severe cases?
Unfortunately, there have been cases where meningitis or encephalitis has been a complication with up to four percent of people developing those types of neuroinvasive diseases.
Symptoms of neuroinvasive diseases include weakness, a stiff neck, involuntary eye movements, eye pain, confusion, and light sensitivity.
Could I catch it in the UK?
According to Dr Philip Veal, travel health consultant at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the insect that carries the virus 'is not currently established in Europe', adding: "It is typically found in the Americas. There is no evidence that the virus can spread from person to person.”
UKHSA added that all cases in Europe were acquired elsewhere, as per The Independent.
How do you prevent sloth fever?
The best way to prevent yourself from catching it is to repel insects and close your windows and doors so they can’t get into your home.
Wearing insect repellent is also a good idea for when you’re outside.
The CDC also recommends that pregnant people reconsider travelling to South American countries too.
"Pregnant people with laboratory evidence of Oropouche virus infection should be monitored during pregnancy and live-born infants should be carefully evaluated." they added.
How is sloth fever treated?
While there are no medications to treat the Oropouche virus, the CDC suggests getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to help - as well as using over-the-counter pain killers to help your symptoms.
"Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not be used to reduce the risk of hemorrhage." they continued to say.
"Patients who develop more severe symptoms should be hospitalized for close observation and supportive treatment."
Britt Jones