Warning as terrifying ‘sloth virus’ spreads to Europe

A frightening virus dubbed “sloth fever” is spreading in Europe as infected holiday-makers return home, with experts warning it could be “unstoppable”.

A frightening virus dubbed “sloth fever” that can lead to miscarriages and birth defects has spread to Europe, as infected holiday-makers return home.

Spain, Italy and Germany all reported infections in patients who had recently travelled to Cuba and Brazil where the tropical bug, called Oropouche virus (OROV), is circulating.

In June and July, 12 cases were reported in Spain, five in Italy, and two in Germany, according to the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC).

The disease is mainly spread by insect bites, including mosquitoes, and originates in sloths — hence the nickname, sloth fever.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest the virus can spread between people.

There are no vaccines to treat the virus, which comes from the same family of diseases that includes Zika virus and Dengue Fever.

European health chiefs warned of a “moderate” threat to travellers visiting Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba.

It also cautioned pregnant women that current data suggests the virus could lead to miscarriage and/or birth defects.

The virus, which originates in sloths, is spread by insect bites but there’s no evidence suggests it spreads from person to person. Picture: iStock

“The impact of OROV infection for pregnant women, foetuses and newborns could therefore be higher than for the general population, although this is still under investigation,” the health officials said.

The University College London’s Genetics Institute Director Professor Francois Ballouz told The Sun: “In all likelihood, we will see more cases of Oropouche virus [in Europe] over the coming months as the current outbreak is still ongoing.”

A surge in cases of the bug, which is endemic in the Amazon Rainforest, has been recorded in Brazil this year – 7286, up from 832 in 2023.

And many infections have been recorded in areas that have not previously seen the virus.

Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health of Cuba first reported Oropouche cases on May 27. Since then, 74 cases have been confirmed.

Outbreaks have also been reported in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, while Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago have also recorded cases.

The spread of the insect-borne disease has European health authorities on alert.

Australia’s Smartraveller has not specifically warned Aussie travellers about the virus, except for general safety advice about insect-borne diseases in affected destinations.

But as more cases are recorded the virus spreads in Europe, British travellers heading to countries where the virus is circulating are being warned to “take precautions”.

“Since, Oropouche is transmitted by mosquitoes, the best way to protect oneself is to take precautions to reduce insect bites,” Prof Balloux said.

This includes wearing long-sleeved clothes, using mosquito nets and applying insect repellent that contains DEET.

However Dr Marine J Petit, a virologist from the University of Surrey, cautioned that standard insect repellents and mosquito nets might not completely “do the trick”.

This is because the virus can also be spread by tiny midges, which can “slip through the nets and might not be bothered by the usual repellents,” she told The Sun.

“My advice will be to monitor symptoms, which may appear in a week’s time following the bite by infected midges or mosquitoes,” she said.

Brazilian health authorities have confirmed a number of deaths attributed to the virus. Picture: Pablo Porciuncula/AFP

Symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to dengue and include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light.

Severe cases may result in brain diseases such as meningitis, a brain swelling disease.

She also warned travellers heading to affected countries to avoid cities where the virus has been spotted.

“It might be wise to avoid tropical forests or cities with current outbreaks,” she said.

After Europe warned of its first-ever case of the disease last week, Dr Danny Altmann, a Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, said “we should definitely be worried” about the spread of this bug.

“Things are changing and may become unstoppable,” Dr Altmann told the Telegraph.

Last month, Brazil reported the world’s first deaths from the bug after two women in their early 20s died in Bahia state in the country’s northeast.

The two women, aged 21 and 24, suffered severe bleeding and hypotension and were reported dead on July 25.

In June Brazil’s Health Minister reported a pregnant woman lost her baby at 30 weeks, with the Oropouche virus detected in the umbilical cord and organs.

A version of this article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission