The Oropouche virus, which causes a disease named “slot fever,” has first been reported in the U.S., and now it has also spread across Europe, posing a serious threat to public health worldwide. On Tuesday, Florida's health department reported 30 cases of Oropouche fever in the state, all linked to travel from Cuba or Brazil. According to the CDC, there have been more than 8,000 cases of sloth fever reported in America from January 1 to August 1, 2024, including two deaths in healthy women in Brazil and five cases in pregnant women. Now, Question ariese, what is Sloth fever?
What is Slot Fever?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the viral disease, sloth fever, is spread by small flies and some types of mosquitoes and can cause a sudden fever and aches. Oropouche virus disease is a zoonotic disease, which means it was transmitted from a nonhuman animal to humans. It was first detected in 1955 at a village in Trinidad and Tobago, near the Oropouche River. Sloth fever symptoms can typically last less than a week and can often occur a few days or even weeks later.
What are sloth fever symptoms?
The health department said most often symptoms include:
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Fever
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Chills
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Headache
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Muscle aches and pains
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Joint stiffness
According to the CDC, other symptoms can include:
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Sensitivity to light
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Dizziness
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Pain behind the eyes
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Rash
What the CDC has to say?
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have issued an alert to public health authorities, saying “Oropouche virus disease in the Americas region, originating from endemic areas in the Amazon basin and new areas in South America and the Caribbean.” The cases in the U.S. and Europe have been identified in travellers returning from South America.
However, it must have clicked in your mind why is it known as sloth fever? Because scientists who first identified the Oropouche virus believed that sloths were important in its spread between insects and animals. There is no immunisation or medicine available on the market to stop sloth fever as of now. Preventions for sloth fever are to protect yourself by avoiding bug bites. Use insect repellant, use window and door screens, use fans outdoors to keep bugs away, and avoid unnecessary travel.