1 month ago
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American health officials are closely monitoring the situation after Florida reported 20 travel-related cases of Sloth Fever, including nine in just the past week. The cases have been identified in travelers returning from Cuba and
Brazil
. So far, one case has been reported in New York, according to the latest update from the state health department.
However, there is currently no evidence of local transmission within the US or its territories, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC
).
Over 8,000 cases reported in 2024
The
Oropouche virus
, reason for Sloth Fever, has caused significant concern in
South America
and the Caribbean, with more than 8,000 cases reported this year in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba. From January 1 to July 20, 2024, the Region of the Americas reported 8,078 confirmed cases of Oropouche virus, including two deaths. The cases were distributed across five countries in the region: Bolivia (356 cases), Brazil (7,284 cases, including two deaths), Peru (290 cases), Colombia (74 cases), and Cuba (74 cases), according to World Health Organisation.
Health advisory and alert issued
The
Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert due to the spread of the virus in South America and Cuba.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network Advisory on August 16 due to increased Oropouche virus, cause of Sloth Fever, activity warning travelers of the associated risks.
Oropouche virus: Cause of Sloth Fever
The Oropouche virus mainly spreads through the bite of an insect known as a
midge
, though some mosquitoes can also transmit this potentially fatal disease. According to the CDC, the virus is brought into urban areas by individuals who likely contracted it in forested regions. It is transmitted from animals, such as sloths and rodents, to mosquitoes and flies, which then spread it to humans.
Oropouche virus history
First detected in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago, Oropouche virus is endemic in the Amazon basin. It has previously caused outbreaks in countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, and Peru.
Symptoms of Sloth Fever
The incubation period for Sloth Fever is typically up to ten days. Symptoms are similar to those of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, including an acute onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, eye pain, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, rash, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, fewer than one in 20, the disease can progress to more severe conditions like meningitis, encephalitis, or bleeding. There are rare cases of death from Oropouche virus.
What are the treatments for Oropouche virus?
At present, there are no specific treatments or vaccines available for the virus. Patients are generally advised to rest, stay hydrated, and use over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol to manage fever and pain. In more severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary, and supportive care is required if complications develop.
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