A potentially deadly virus known as “sloth fever” has put US officials on alert after Florida reported 20 travel-related cases, including nine last week.
Oropouche virus is spread through the bites of small infected flies and mosquitoes. It’s common in parts of South America, though Florida noted that its 20 cases — the first in the U.S. — came from travel to Cuba. The virus has also been detected in Europe.
The infection can cause headaches, joint stiffness, pain, nausea and even death in some rare cases. It is especially problematic for pregnant women.
Here’s everything you need to know about this growing threat.
What is ‘laziness fever’?
Oropouche virus (pronounced o-ro-push) is transmitted through mosquito bites to animals and humans, making it an arbovirus. The disease is known colloquially as “sloth fever,” as the slow-moving, bone-crunching mammals are among the animals regularly infected.
The first case of the virus was recorded in 1955 in a village near the Oropouche River in the Amazon River Basin. During outbreaks, people carrying the virus feed on the insects, which then infect other people.
According to the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, there have been about 500,000 cases recorded since the disease was first identified. The virus has been circulating in Latin America and the Caribbean, with sporadic outbreaks in Brazil and Peru.
From January to early August, more than 8,000 cases of “sloth fever” were reported. In 2023, 832 were registered.
Of these 8,000 cases, two deaths were recorded in Brazil in July. A few cases of mother-to-fetal transmission have also occurred, resulting in fetal death or birth defects.
What are the symptoms of ‘laziness fever’?
The incubation period for sloth fever is three to 10 days. Symptoms usually begin with a sudden fever and a severe headache, similar to those associated with dengue, chikungunya, Zika viruses or malaria.
Symptoms usually last less than a week, but some patients experience weakness for up to a month.
About 60% of those infected develop symptoms, which include:
- Headache
- Chills
- nausea
- fever
- Maculopapular rash
- Muscle pain
- Eye pain
- Joint pain
- Vomiting
- diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
Severe symptoms
In up to 4% of patients, the infection can cause neuroinvasive diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis.
Symptoms of neuroinvasive complications include eye pain, confusion, weakness, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, and involuntary eye movement.
Prevention of sloth fever
The best protection is to prevent bites through insect repellants and window and door screens.
There are no vaccines to prevent Oropouche infection. The CDC recommends that pregnant women reconsider non-essential travel to areas of infection, such as Cuba.
How is sloth fever treated?
There are no medications that specifically treat Oropouche virus.
Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers can address symptoms, according to the CDC. To reduce the risk of bleeding, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided.
Patients experiencing severe symptoms should seek immediate medical treatment.
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