Riya Baibhawi

Sloth Fever Virus Detected in US and Europe—Here’s How It Spreads

Sloth Fever

A rare virus known as "<span>sloth fever</span>" has been detected in 21 travellers returning to the US from Cuba, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. Named for its initial identification in South American sloths, the disease has been described as a "mysterious threat" by the <em>Lancet</em>. It was formally known as oropouche fever and has recently led to the deaths of two women in their twenties in Brazil. It was first reported in Europe this year with 19 cases—12 in Spain, five in Italy, and two in Germany.

The virus is spread by insects that have previously bitten sloths, monkeys, or birds. Symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, chills, and sensitivity to light. In rare instances, sloth fever can lead to severe complications such as meningitis or encephalitis. While most people recover without long-term effects, the virus poses particular risks to pregnant women, potentially leading to stillbirth, miscarriage, or birth defects.

Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for sloth fever, and prevention is difficult as traditional measures like mosquito nets may not be effective against midges. Health experts believe that while most individuals will recover, severe cases could result in neuroinvasive conditions like meningitis.

The United Nations issued a warning on July 17 regarding the potential risks to unborn babies if a mother contracts the virus during pregnancy. Investigations are underway in Brazil into possible mother-to-child transmission, including cases of four newborns with microcephaly who tested positive for antibodies against the oropouche virus but negative for other viruses such as Zika. Additionally, there have been reports of a woman who experienced a stillbirth in June and another who suffered a miscarriage after contracting the virus.

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A rare virus known as "sloth fever" has been detected in 21 travellers returning to the US from Cuba, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. Named for its initial identification in South American sloths, the disease has been described as a "mysterious threat" by the Lancet. It was formally known as oropouche fever and has recently led to the deaths of two women in their twenties in Brazil. It was first reported in Europe this year with 19 cases—12 in Spain, five in Italy, and two in Germany.How Does It Spread?The virus is spread by insects that have previously bitten sloths, monkeys, or birds. Symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, chills, and sensitivity to light. In rare instances, sloth fever can lead to severe complications such as meningitis or encephalitis. While most people recover without long-term effects, the virus poses particular risks to pregnant women, potentially leading to stillbirth, miscarriage, or birth defects.Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for sloth fever, and prevention is difficult as traditional measures like mosquito nets may not be effective against midges. Health experts believe that while most individuals will recover, severe cases could result in neuroinvasive conditions like meningitis.The United Nations issued a warning on July 17 regarding the potential risks to unborn babies if a mother contracts the virus during pregnancy. Investigations are underway in Brazil into possible mother-to-child transmission, including cases of four newborns with microcephaly who tested positive for antibodies against the oropouche virus but negative for other viruses such as Zika. Additionally, there have been reports of a woman who experienced a stillbirth in June and another who suffered a miscarriage after contracting the virus.

sloth fever virus detected in us and europe—here’s how it spreads

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