Sloth Fever: What To Know About Potentially Dangerous Oropouche Virus After First Deaths
ForbesAug 19
US, Europe Report 'Sloth Fever' Cases
Image copyright: Harvard Museum of Natural History via Wikimedia Commons.
The Facts
Thousands of cases of the Oropouche virus, dubbed "Sloth Fever," have been reported around the world this year. This now includes 21 cases in the US and 19 in Europe, all of whom are believed to have contracted the virus while traveling to Cuba and Brazil.
Sloth Fever comes from insects like midges and mosquitoes, which then transmit it when they bite animals including sloths (who are regularly infected), birds, rodents, and also humans. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, sensitivity to light, and vomiting, among others.
The Spin
Narrative A
Not only are Sloth Fever and Triple E viruses on the rise, but West Nile virus is also concerningly sweeping through the US. As more and more cases appear, individuals must take precautions including wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using mosquito repellent, and getting rid of standing water. These cases are more examples of the increasing risks of disease to all of us in a warming world — with a disproportionate risk to those in developing countries.
Narrative B
There must be a more systemic approach to smartly containing these outbreaks. Immigration and international travel should be monitored with appropriate health protocols in the US and other nations. Governments must do a better job at screening individuals, and travelers should be better educated on pre- and post-travel health guidance. Proactive government intervention can go a long way towards more effectively snuffing these disease flare-ups when they reach international borders.