The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a warning. There have been 21 cases of sloth fever

Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a total of 21 cases of "sloth fever" have emerged in the United States in recent months. It is reported that these patients were diagnosed with Oropouche virus after returning from traveling in the Caribbean. The virus is also known as the "sloth fever" virus because sloths can be carriers and infected by it.

The 21 infected people range in age from 15 to 94 years old, with an average age of 48. The most common symptoms are fever, muscle pain, headache and fatigue. A small number of people also have symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. All the patients have a travel history to Cuba, and most of the patients' symptoms appeared between May and July. As of August 16, three of the 21 patients were hospitalized. There have been no deaths so far.

Oropouche fever is caused by the Oropouche virus. Its symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever, including high fever, headache, myalgia, rash, joint pain and vomiting. It usually lasts for 3 to 6 days, and up to 60% of patients will have a brief relapse. The Oropouche virus is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes and is mainly prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Since the end of 2023, the Oropouche virus has triggered an unprecedented epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2024, more than 8,000 cases have been reported, causing 2 deaths, 1 miscarriage and 4 newborns with birth defects.

In view of this, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning to hospitals and public health departments, requiring people returning from vacations in Latin America to take virus tests. Since "sloth fever" may cause birth defects in newborns and miscarriages in pregnant women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reminds pregnant women to avoid traveling to these areas.

At present, there is no specific drug or vaccine for Oropouche fever. The Pan American Health Organization issued an epidemiological alert earlier this month, issuing a high-risk warning for the recent Oropouche fever epidemic in the Americas and calling on countries to strengthen the monitoring and diagnosis of the Oropouche virus.