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As of Aug. 16 , 2024 , more than 20 case ofOropouche computer virus disease — sometimes nicknamed " sloth virus " — have been confirmed in travelers return to the U.S. from Cuba .
These are thefirst known cases in the U.S. of the viral disease , which usually circulates in part of South America , Central America and the Caribbean . They fall in a further 19 cases that have also been detected for the first time intravelers refund to Europe from the Americasthis summer .
Public concern is rising after cases of Oropouche virus disease — an illness that normally afflicts people in South and Central America — have been reported for the first time in the U.S. and Europe.
So far , no one in the U.S. has die of the virus . However , health official are warning masses who wish to jaunt to areas where the virus spread , specially pregnant women , to be extra vigilant .
Here ’s what we hump so far about the so - called sloth virus .
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Some media outlets have referred to Oropouche virus as “sloth virus” because the animals serve as a reservoir of the disease, but they are not the only known hosts.
What is Oropouche virus?
Oropouche virus disease is aZika - like unwellness that was first detected in a timberland workerin Trinidad and Tobago in 1955 .
Several media outlets have recently referred to the disease as " sloth computer virus " because scientist have proposed that the main creature host of the virus is the pale - throated slothfulness ( Bradypus tridactylus ) . These sloths are thought to be a origin of human infection transmitted by insect bite , and vice - versa .
However , other researchers have declare oneself thatother creature , such as hazardous raspberry or archpriest include capuchin ( Cebus ) and howler ( genus Alouatta ) monkeys , are in reality the main creature host of the disease .
What are the symptoms?
symptom of Oropouche virus disease are similar to those of dengue , chikungunya , Zika andmalaria .
symptom normally get down aroundfour to eight day after a person is infectedby a disease - carrying insect . They include sudden - oncoming feverishness , headache , joint rigor , pain and chill , which generally last for between five and seven days . Sometimes , affected role may also experience lasting sickness and vomiting .
few than one in 20 patientsdevelop severe disease , including inflammation around the spinal cord and brain ( meningitis ) or inflammation of the nous ( phrenitis ) .
The disease is rarely disastrous , however , two decease from austere disease have beenrecently cover in Brazil . Most patients recover within a workweek of narrow the disease , but some may take workweek to recover .
How is the virus transmitted?
the great unwashed get Oropouche computer virus from a biting fly call a midge . The midge species , Culicoides paraensis , that typically transmits the virus is found in timberland and around bodies of water , such as lakes and pond . These midges live throughout the Americas , let in several states in the U.S. , buthave not been found in Europe .
The disease can also be transmitted to mankind by some species of mosquito , such as certainCulex quinquefasciatusmosquitoes . As of yet , direct human - to - human transmission has not been reported .
Where have cases been reported?
Over the past 60 years , more than 30 epidemics of Oropouche virus disease , which collectively have caused more than half a million cases , have been reported in Brazil , Peru , Panama and Trinidad and Tobago .
This yr Oropouche virus disease outbreaks have pass in Brazil , Bolivia , Colombia and Peru . Cuba also reported its first - ever known cases inJune 2024 . The disease could spread even further , asclimate change create more favorable conditionsfor this to happen .
All recorded case in the U.S. so far have been in travelers returning from Cuba : 20 in Florida and one in New York . Most affected role have had a " self - trammel " illness that resolve on its own without discussion , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) . However , at least three patient have experienced their symptom come back after their initial illness was resolved , the CDC says .
Of the 19 love imported casesof Oropouche virus disease in Europe memorialize in June and July 2024 , 18 were in traveller returning to the continent from Cuba , while the other was in traveler from Brazil . Twelve of these cases were recorded in Spain , five in Italy and two in Germany .
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What treatments are available?
There are no treatments or vaccines available for Oropouche computer virus disease . However , the CDC recommendsthat symptoms of the disease are treated by drunkenness fluid to prevent evaporation , staying well - rested and taking over - the - counter pain medicament such asacetaminophento curtail fever and bother .
Are pregnant women particularly vulnerable?
Health official are investigating whether , like Zika , infection with Oropouche virus disease can stimulate pitiful outcomes during pregnancy , such as abortion and miscarriage .
In July 2024 , the Brazilian Ministry of Health reported six possible cases of Oropouche virus disease being transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy . These have been link to incidences ofmicrocephaly — meaning the babe ’s head is small than median — and miscarriage . This is worrisome because microcephaly , which is link up with problems relating to physical and noetic power , is a known risk when a person becomes infected with Zika during gestation .
However , there is not yet enough data to confirm that Oropuche is have microcephaly .
" We want to be at mellow alarm and respond rapidly to ensure that we are protect the health of significant moms everywhere,“Dr . Mandy Cohen , director of the CDC , told CBS News .
How can I avoid becoming infected?
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Most public health advice is currently focus on around preventing insect bite while traveling to field where the virus propagate . This includes usingEnvironmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) - registered insect repellent , wearing light - colored long - sleeved shirt and longsighted gasp while outside , and using Insecticide - treated bed nets in way that do not have fair to middling air conditioning or window or threshold screens .
fraught traveller should disclose detail about their plans with their healthcare provider , and reconsider " non - essential " travel to high - risk areas , such as Cuba , the CDC says .
This clause is for informational intention only and is not entail to extend medical advice .
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