Lethal Sloth Fever With No Cure Alarms Health Officials In Europe And US (Photo @Pixabay)
Amid global concerns regarding mpox, a highly communicable disease, known as deadly sloth fever, has been spreading across Europe and the United States. The fever, also known as the Oropouche virus, is spread by the bites of flies called midges and certain types of mosquitoes. It is naturally found in dense forests and warm atmospheres, especially in the Amazon rainforest.
The first case where a human was infected was recorded in 1955 in the town of Oropouche, Trinidad and Tobago. Since 2023, over 8,000 local cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. Notably, the disease is spreading rapidly in Europe, and the region has recorded 19 cases across Spain, Italy, and Germany between June and July 2024. Notably, more than 20 persons returning to the US from Cuba have been diagnosed with the virus, raising fears of potential escalation of the cases. Health officials are rushing to develop efficient measures to curtail the outbreak.
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The name ‘sloth fever’ was originated when the virus was initially found in Sloth in Brazil, five years after the first human case. It is believed that the virus was transmitted to humans while they were touring forest areas. The disease thus reached towns and cities. However, much to the relief, the direct person-to-person transmission has not yet been documented, as per a report by the news agency AP.
The symptoms of the infection include fevers, headaches, and muscle pain, in addition to diarrhoea, stomach pain, and rashes in some people. In certain deteriorating situations, the disease can result in bleeding, brain inflammation, and swelling. The infected might also get symptoms similar to dengue and malaria.
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While the fatalities are rare, two recent cases involving youth have raised concerns about the consequences, marking the first deaths caused by the virus. At present, there are no vaccines or drugs to cure the disease.
