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Tourists are being warned after an increase in cases of 'sloth fever' have been reported in a popular holiday spot.
The kids might be back at school, but with many Brits hoping to catch some autumn sun in the coming weeks - and of course, the October half term - tourists are being warned after more cases of the illness have been confirmed.
Sloth fever is an arbovirus, which means that it spreads through insect bites to both animals and humans.
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It's been dubbed sloth fever due to the fact it's found in areas home to pale-throated sloths, who typically carry a large amount of parasites.
It's also known as the 'Oropouche virus’ too, due to the first case being recorded close to the Oropouche River in Trinidad and Tobago, back in 1955.
Last year, there were 832 cases. However, this has surged in recent months. From January of this year until now, there has been over 8,000 cases reported.
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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.
Meanwhile, 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.
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In latest figures, however, the virus has been confirmed in the Canary Islands, which is a popular destination for those looking for some autumn and winter sun.
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According to Canarian Weekly, the virus was detected in three people who had travelled from Cuba - a 36-year-old man, a 32-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man.
According to reports, the three people who have been diagnosed with the illness began suffering from a fever, as well as diarrhoea and joint pain.
Meanwhile, a further three people in the region are also awaiting results from lab testing.
What are the symptoms of sloth fever?
Scientists know that the incubation period for Sloth Fever is somewhere between three and 10 days.
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Symptoms include a sudden fever and a severe headache, which can last for a week.
However, there are other symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fever
- Muscle soreness
- Eye pain
- Maculopapular rash
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain
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With the illness spreading through bites, it can be tricky to prevent.
However, the best way to avoid catching the virus is to use repellent while outside, as well as closing your windows and doors so they can’t get into your home.
The CDC also recommends that pregnant people reconsider travelling to South American countries too.
Topics: Health, World News
Lucy Devine