The Oropouche virus disease also referred to as sloth fever, has been increasingly reported in the United States, with 20 cases in Florida and one in New York. The virus is typically transmitted through bites from small flies and certain mosquitoes, such as the Culex quinquefasciatus. Symptoms include sudden fever, body aches, and other flu-like manifestations.
While the disease has been spreading globally, primarily affecting travelers returning from countries like Cuba and Brazil, local transmission has not been observed in the U.S. or Europe. Pregnant women are particularly at risk, as there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for this viral infection.
Sloth fever, medically known as Oropouche virus disease, is a kind of zoonotic illness. It gets its origin from nonhuman animals, and transmission occurs in human beings. The outbreak first took place in 1955 near the Oropouche River of Trinidad and Tobago. The naming of sloth fever comes from early scientific observations when sloths were the major carriers of the virus among insects and animals.
Transmission
In the wild, the virus is generally transmitted between mosquitoes and vertebrate animals such as sloths, primates, rodents, and wild birds within the forested area. The disease may be spread by the biting midges and certain species of mosquitoes in urban areas that could transfer it from an infected host to an uninfected one.
Changes in climate and human practices, such as agriculture and the building of infrastructure, may favor the spread of the disease by way of alterations in ecosystems and insect behavior.
Sloth Fever Virus Symptoms
Symptoms manifest in about 60% of the infected individuals, typically starting with a sudden fever, severe headache, chills, and muscle and joint pains. Other symptoms might include dizziness, eye pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and a skin rash. The disease can result in severe complications; meningitis or encephalitis, though rarely. Global Cases
This virus is mainly confined to the Amazon Basin, although recent outbreaks have been reported in the Americas as far away as Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. Cube has also recorded the cases. The United States and Europe have recorded cases among returning travelers from the affected regions.
Treatment and Prevention
There is no cure or vaccine against sloth fever. Treatment mainly includes supportive care for rest, fluids, and pain. The best way to prevent the fever, as would be expected, is to avoid the mosquito and midge bites. The CDC recommends that pregnant women consult their doctor before undertaking travel to the affected area.
If you develop symptoms after you have traveled, seek immediate medical help and share your recent travel history with your healthcare provider.
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