NINETEEN cases of so-called ‘sloth virus’ have been reported in Europe so far this summer.
In June and July alone, 12 infections were confirmed in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany, according to the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC).
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Eighteen of those hit by the disease had recently travelled to Cuba, while one had been in Brazil, where Oropouche recently killed two women aged 21 and 24.
There have been more than 10,000 cases reported worldwide since the start of the year, and 500,000 since the disease was discovered in 1955.
After 2024 outbreaks in countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba, and cases recorded in three European countries, experts now fear the virus will spread globally.
Dr Danny Altmann, a professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, said: “We should definitely be worried.
“Things are changing and may become unstoppable.”
Dubbed a “mysterious threat” in the journal The Lancet, little is known about Oropouche as it is still an emerging disease.
But it is transmitted by biting midges and mosquitoes that have fed on sloth, monkey or bird blood, so avoiding bites can help keep you safe.
There are also five other steps you can take to protect yourself.
1. Prevent bites
The number one thing you can do to protect yourself from Oropouche, as well as dengue fever, Zika and other viruses transmitted by insects, is preventing bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This means using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers, and staying in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens and/or mosquito nets.
Avoiding strong perfumes, soaps, shampoos and deodorants can also help, the NHS says.
2. Time it right
Anyone who has been to areas where Oropouche is present should continue to prevent insect bites for three weeks after travel, the CDC warns.
“This is to mitigate additional spread of the virus and potential importation into unaffected areas,” it adds.
3. Know the signs
Another major line of defence is being aware of the most common symptoms of Oropouche.
The CDC says these are a fever and headache, which usually begin three to 10 days after being bitten by an infected bug.
Other potential signs include muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills and sensitivity to light.
“Most people infected with Oropouche feel better within a week, but symptoms often come back,” the CDC adds.
Should you be worried?
Prof Stephen Graham, School of Biological Sciences Infection and Immunity Theme Leader and Professor of Virus:Host Interactions, University of Cambridge, said:
“This outbreak is unusual in its broad geographic spread.
“It’s also very unusual in the fact that we have observed the first recorded cases of mortality from Oropouche virus infection – two women in their 30s with no known co-infections or other serious disease.
“This marks quite a change in the virus as it has always made people very sick, with debilitating fever and muscle pain for about one to two weeks, and occasionally neuronal symptoms like meningitis, but it has never before killed people.
“Additionally, there have been anecdotal reports since the 1980s that Oropouche virus infection of women in the first trimester of pregnancy could cause foetal death.
“We have unfortunately now seen several cases of early-term abortions where the foetus was infected with Oropouche virus.
“This has potential public health implications so we need to maintain vigilance and monitor the situation carefully.
“This is a virus that infects people, and people travel.
“If you visit an area where there is an epidemic and are bitten by an insect carrying Oropouche, you might not develop symptoms for two to three days, and by that time you might have flown home to Europe or the USA.
“However, we have no evidence that the virus can spread directly from person to person – you need an insect to bite you and then bite someone else to transmit the disease – and there’s no evidence that the insects we have in the UK or on mainland Europe are able to transmit Oropouche virus infection.”
4. Seek medical help
According to the CDC, travellers to areas with Oropouche transmission, including South America or the Caribbean, who develop a fever, chills, headache, joint pain or muscle pain during or within two weeks after travel should:
- Seek medical care and tell their healthcare provider when and where they travelled
- Not take aspirin or other NSAIDS (e.g. ibuprofen) to reduce the risk of bleeding
- Continue to prevent insect bites during the first week of illness to avoid further spread, especially in areas where mosquitoes or biting midges are active
5. Plan ahead
Before jetting off, pregnant holidaymakers should discuss travel plans with their GP, CDC guidance states.
This should include their reason for travel, how to prevent insect bites, and all potential risks associated with travel.
The dangers of Oropouche during pregnancy are unknown, but experts say it acts similarly to Zika, which can be passed to unborn babies and cause miscarriages, stillbirths, birth defects, seizures, vision problems and hearing loss.
6. Avoid non-essential travel
Finally, if you are pregnant, you should reconsider non-essential travel to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Cuba, the CDC says.
“If travel is unavoidable, pregnant travellers should strictly follow Oropouche virus prevention recommendations to prevent insect bites during travel,” it adds.
Oropouche – an expert’s view
Dr Benjamin Brennan, senior research fellow at MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, said:
“The Oropouche virus is endemic in parts of South America and has been for some time.
“It is in the news now because there has been a large and sustained outbreak of Oropouche fever in several South American countries (approximately 8,000 cases) associated with the emergence of a novel Oropouche virus that has arisen due to a reassortment event.
“What is unusual in this outbreak is the first reports of death following infection with this virus in South America and the observation that the virus may be being passed from mother to child in utero and result in miscarriage, abortion and/or developmental problems, and deformities of the foetus.
“The virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Culicoides paraensis midge, which exists in South America (and not in Europe).
“Oropouche virus has not been demonstrated to be transmitted directly between humans.
“The virus causes a disease with typically mild symptoms, that people recover from after one to two weeks and is rarely fatal.
“In humans, Oropouche disease can manifest as an acute febrile illness with headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and occasionally more severe symptoms (e.g. neurological symptoms and meningitis).
“The prognosis for recovery is good and fatal outcomes are extremely rare.
“However, there are recent reports in South America of Oropouche virus being transmitted from infected pregnant women to developing foetuses.
“The impact of Oropouche infection for pregnant women, foetuses and newborns may therefore be higher than that for the rest of the public.
“Pregnant women planning to travel to epidemic countries where transmission is ongoing (i.e. Cuba, Brazil) or has been reported should always seek pre-travel health advice to assess the risk of infection based on the local situation.
“Given the relatively high number of travellers between Europe and affected countries such as Brazil or Cuba, it is likely we will continue to see sporadic cases of Oropouche fever in returning travellers in Europe.
“Nineteen cases have been reported so far, in Spain, Italy and Germany. In these incidences most travellers had returned from Cuba.
“We may see cases in the UK in returning travellers that have visited or reside in an epidemic area.
“Currently there are no vaccines or specific medicines to treat Oropouche fever.
“Therefore, the best way to prevent an ongoing outbreak would be to follow any instructions given by local public health authorities in the affected country and to use personal protective measures to reduce midge and mosquito bites both when undertaking outdoor activities or inside houses that are not adequately screened.
“The midge species that transmits the virus in South America bites during the day and readily enters houses, with peaks in activity after sunrise and before sunset.”
