What Is ‘Sloth Fever’? Here’s What Families Need To Know
The virus, also known as Oropouche fever, is spreading. Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah ScottA new virus has emerged in the U.S. and though it has a cuddly name, it's not one to take lightly. Oropouche virus, which is also sometimes called "sloth fever," has the potential to be deadly.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a health advisory about the virus and, to date, several Florida residents have been impacted. The good news is the U.S. cases are travel-associated. But here's what else families and pregnant people need to know.
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What Is Sloth Fever and How Does It Spread?Sloth fever dates back to 1955 when it was first detected in Trinidad and Tobago, according to the CDC. In general, it's a virus that's endemic in the Amazon basin, says the agency.As the CDC explains in its recent health advisory, the virus is typically circulated in forested areas via enzootic transmission between mosquitoes and other non-human vertebrate hosts, such as sloths (hence the name, more on that below), non-human primates, domestic and wild birds, or even rodents.However, it's possible for humans who visit forested areas to catch the virus from insects and it is this type of transmission that the CDC says is most likely responsible for bringing sloth fever into populated urban settings. Once an infected individual is in an urban area, the virus can continue to be passed on to non-infected people, says the CDC. That’s because the biting insects can transmit the virus from an infected person to an uninfected person."The virus spreads through the bite of a tiny fly called a midge and possibly mosquitoes," explains Brian Labus, PhD, MPH, REHS, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. “It's not something that can spread directly between people without insects.”The current outbreak of sloth fever appears to be originating not only from endemic areas in the Amazon basin, but also new areas in South America and the Caribbean, per the CDC. Countries that have reported cases recently include Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba.Between the start of 2024 and August 1, more than 8,000 cases were reported and those figures include two deaths. In addition, there were five cases of what the CDC calls "vertical transmission" of the virus associated with fetal death or congenital abnormalities.Current U.S. Cases Are Travel-RelatedImportantly, the CDC points out that "although travel-associated cases have been identified in the United States, no evidence of local transmission currently exists within the United States or its territories."That's a key point to underscore. The current cases in this country are travel-associated cases impacting individuals who have visited one of the countries where the disease has been reported. All of the nine cases of Oropouche fever that were reported in Florida were linked to international travel among those individuals. And all 20 of the cases of Oropouche fever reported in 2024 were travel-associated."Unless you have recently traveled to an area where this disease can be found, like Brazil or Cuba, there is no reason to think that you are infected with the Oropouche virus," says Dr. Labus. "It's not something you will pick up in your backyard."Why Is It Called Sloth Fever?When the virus was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago, it was found in an area near the Oropouche River, and thus was given the name Oropouche virus. However, the first time it showed up in Brazil a few years later, it was found in a three-toed sloth. "The name 'sloth fever' was catchier and stuck," says Dr. Labus.The name sloth fever, however, can be somewhat misleading because the virus is actually spread by insect bites, not by contact with sloths themselves. Still, it continues to be called sloth fever by some because the bites from mosquitoes can transmit the virus to other vertebrate non-human hosts, including sloths.It's an unfortunate name that Linda Yancey MD, an infectious diseases specialist with Memorial Herman Health System in Texas, suggests should change."It should not be called sloth fever," she says. "The World Health Organization has stopped the practice of naming disease after animals as it often leads to animal cruelty and people needlessly killing innocent animals as we saw in the 2008 Swine Flu outbreak."Sloth Fever SymptomsNearly 60% of individuals infected with sloth fever will develop symptoms, says the CDC. The incubation time before such symptoms occur can be anywhere from as little as three days to as many as 10 days."Initial clinical presentation is similar to diseases caused by dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, with acute onset of fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and arthralgia," says the CDC.Additional common symptoms might include:Retro-orbital (eye) painPhotophobia (light sensitivity) NauseaVomitingDiarrheaFatigueMaculopapular rashEnlarged blood vessels in the eyeAbdominal painThe virus is spread amongst those who are exposed to biting midges or mosquitoes in impacted countries, says the CDC. But those who have other viral infections, or who are 65 or older, or have other underlying medical conditions including immune suppression, hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, are most at risk of developing a severe case of Oropouche.What Should Families Do if They Think They Are Infected?Importantly, medical experts point out that Oropouche virus is not actually present in the U.S. right now. What's more, this is a midge and mosquito-borne illness, so the only way to get it is to be bitten by those insects in an area where the virus is found. That is: be bitten in South or Central America or the Caribbean."If you and your children have not been to these areas recently, you do not have Oropouche," confirms Dr. Yancey. "If you have recently traveled to one of these areas and are concerned you can contact your primary care provider."But be aware, adds Dr. Yancey, that there is no commercial test for Oropouche. "The only testing is through your local health department," she says.If you think your child may be infected, the first step is to contact their health care provider and schedule an evaluation, adds Zachary Hoy, MD, a board-certified pediatric infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group."Some of the common things to watch for are dehydration from not wanting to eat or drink regularly," explains Dr. Hoy.Like Dr. Yancey, he stresses that while it is possible to diagnose sloth fever, there is no antiviral treatment. But that reality does not change how the virus is managed once it's been detected."Most commonly used medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as Motrin or naproxen sodium," says Dr. Hoy. “This can help alleviate muscle and joint pain.”What Pregnant People Need To Know about Sloth FeverThe CDC advisory made clear that "vertical transmission" of the virus is possible—that means it can be passed from pregnant person to the fetus. And this occurrence has been associated with fetal death or congenital abnormalities. That means individuals who are pregnant should be aware of the necessary precautions."As of July 2024, the Brazilian Ministry of Health released a report of four cases of microcephaly, a birth defect, in newborns of mothers infected with Oropouche virus. Fetal deaths were observed, possibly associated with transmission from mother to child," says Suraj Saggar, DO, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey. "Those who are or may become pregnant should reconsider travel plans to countries with ongoing cases."In its advisory, the CDC recommends that those who are pregnant reconsider non-essential travel plans to areas that are impacted by the virus and are under what's known as a Level 2 Travel Health Notice.If you decide to proceed with such travel, it is important to take precautions to prevent insect bites while visiting the impacted country, including using mosquito repellant and finding one that is safe for individuals who are pregnant. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.
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