What Is Sloth Fever? Oropouche Virus Infection Explained

No, the Sloth fever will not turn you into the lazy and furry mammal. It can, however, make you very sick. To make matters worse, the US health authorities say there are no vaccines or medicines to prevent or treat the disease.

More than 20 people returning to the US from Cuba have been infected with the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever. While there has been no fatalities so far, US officials have warned medical professionals to be on the lookout.

The virus was dubbed sloth fever because scientists first investigating the virus found it in a three-toed sloth, later thought to be a vector of the disease. But the recent outbreak has largely been attributed to small flies called midges and some types of mosquitoes.

Person-to-person transmission is yet to be recorded. Those infected have said it is similar to dengue, Zika or malaria. Fever, headaches and muscle aches are common, and some infected people also suffer diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or rash.

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