Sloth fever virus, symptoms: Is it contagious? Check US CDC warning

"Sloth fever" has been reported in the South America, Central America, Caribbean and now Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning to residents of the US about the Oropouche virus.

Sloth Fever Oropouche

"Sloth fever" is caused by Oropouche virus and is formally known as Oropouche virus disease or Oropouche fever. Despite the name, it's not contracted via contact with sloths. One must avoid contact with mosquitoes and biting midges. as per The Conversation-PTI report.

Oropouche virus is an orthobunyavirus. It's from a different family of viruses to the flaviviruses which include dengue, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses. Alphaviruses include chikungunya, Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, according to the report.


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Oropouche virus was first identified in 1955. It takes its name from a village in Trinidad and Tobago, where the person who it was first isolated from lived.

Sloth Fever Virus Symptoms

Sloth Fever Virus symptoms include fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting and a rash. This makes it difficult to distinguish it from other viral infections. Around 60 per cent of people infected with the virus become ill.

However, serious symptoms, including encephalitis and meningitis (inflammation of the brain and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) have occasionally been reported.

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Sloth Fever Warning in US

CDC has advised that residents must avoid unnecessary travel to Brazil and Cuba.

FAQs

Q1. What is Sloth fever?
A1. "Sloth fever" is caused by Oropouche virus and is formally known as Oropouche virus disease or Oropouche fever, as per The Conversation-PTI report.

Q2. When was Oropouche virus identified?
A2. Oropouche virus was first identified in 1955.