{"id":68911,"date":"2025-08-15T13:04:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T13:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/68911\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T13:04:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T13:04:09","slug":"alert-issued-by-health-chiefs-after-oropouche-virus-is-detected-in-three-britons-these-are-the-warning-signs-of-sloth-fever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/68911\/","title":{"rendered":"Alert issued by health chiefs after oropouche virus is detected in three Britons, these are the warning signs of ‘sloth fever’"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ELEN JOHNSTON, HEALTH REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 08:02 EDT, 15 August 2025 | Updated: 08:14 EDT, 15 August 2025 <\/p>\n

Health chiefs have issued an urgent warning after three people in the UK were diagnosed with ‘sloth fever’\u2014a tropical disease typically only found in Brazil.<\/p>\n

The illness also known as the Oropouche virus (OROV), usually causes mild symptoms that disappear after less than a week.<\/p>\n

Signs you may be infected include a fever, headache, joint pain, muscle aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, a rash, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and pain behind the eyes.<\/p>\n

However, occasionally the virus can attack the brain leading to meningitis or encephalitis, which can prove fatal.<\/p>\n

But fortunately, these neurological symptoms only occur in about four per cent of infected patients.<\/p>\n

It is sometimes known as ‘sloth fever’ because it naturally occurs in sloths, as well as primates and birds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

New figures released yesterday by UKHSA revealed there have been three cases of the virus in Britain, but no deaths so far.<\/p>\n

All three of the cases were in people who had returned to the UK after travelling abroad to Brazil.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"It \"Latest <\/p>\n

Health chiefs issued the warning after three people were diagnosed with the virus in the UK<\/p>\n

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This is a diagram showing the link between sloths, insects, the Oropouche virus and humans<\/p>\n

The lesser-known tropical infection is spread through bites from small midges and some mosquitos.<\/p>\n

While it can also be sexually transmitted, there have been no reports of transmission through sexual activity to date.<\/p>\n

There is no cure, with about 60 to 70 percent of patients experiencing a recurrence of the disease a few days to months after the initial infection.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, the symptoms can be managed by resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking paracetamol or other over-the counter medications.<\/p>\n

There is no vaccine but there are preventative measures travellers can take like wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent to ward off midges.<\/p>\n

These insect repellents need to be 50 per cent DEET\u2014the active ingredient which repels pests like midges and mosquitos.<\/p>\n

Other measures include staying in places with air conditioning or window screens with fine mesh to keep out midges and using insecticide-treated fine mesh bed nets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first reported deaths from the illness which has been around since the 1950s were two women in\u00a0Brazil<\/a>\u00a0last year.<\/p>\n

So far this year, globally, there have been over 12,000 confirmed cases of the virus, with the majority (11,888) in the country where the women died.<\/p>\n

It has also spread to other areas of South America, as well as America and Canada who have both reported one case.<\/p>\n

Since the start of the year there have sadly been five deaths which have also taken place in Brazil.<\/p>\n

They have also reported neurological complications and foetal complications which are under investigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In their recent warning, officials urged caution to pregnant women travelling to Central and South America that the virus has been linked to miscarriages.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘If you’re pregnant and considering travel to affected areas, it is important to discuss this with your GP or travel clinic before you go,’ said UKHSA.<\/p>\n

‘While we are still learning about the risks of OROV during pregnancy, the potential for mother-to-child transmission\u2014and impact on the foetus\u2014means caution is necessary.’<\/p>\n

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