Cases of Sloth Fever, also known as Oropouche virus, have been increasing in Europe and the US. It is an extremely contagious disease that poses serious health risks to people. BBC reports that it has already caused more than 8,000 cases in five countries during the first seven months of 2024. The virus has also recently caused the deaths of two women in Brazil and the potential deaths of two unborn children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an update last week said that at least three of the initial cases reported in the U.S. were hospitalized and that the agency is “currently developing a plan for rapid detection and response” to the virus.
CDC says that the Oropouche virus is spread to people primarily by the bite of infected midges. Some mosquitoes can also spread the virus. Most infected people will develop symptoms that can often reoccur. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Oropouche. The best way to protect yourself from Oropouche is to prevent bites from biting midges and mosquitoes.
According to CDC the symptoms usually last less than a week (2–7 days) and can often reoccur a few days or even weeks later. “Most people with Oropouche recover within several days to one month. Some people (fewer than one in 20) will develop more serious disease. This includes meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or bleeding. Death from Oropouche is rare.”
Experts say that the Oropouche virus being passed from a pregnant person to their foetus can result in the death of the foetus or congenital abnormalities like microcephaly. However, the cases are under investigation.