Scientists have sounded the alarm after a potentially dangerous virus originating in sloths was discovered in Europe for the first time following two human deaths in Brazil.
Figures published by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) show that 19 imported cases of the Oropouche virus were reported in Europe in June and July.
The disease has been dubbed the “sloth virus” or “sloth fever” as it is originates from pale-throated sloths, which dwell in the tropical rainforests of northern South America.
It is usually spread through the bite of infected insects such as mosquitoes and ticks.
Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle and joint pains.
They typically begin four to eight days after a bite and last three to six days.
In severe cases, the disease can cause meningitis, according to the NHS Travax website.
The figures come after two women, both under the age of 30, died from the virus last month in Brazil, according to the country’s health ministry.
Both had pre-existing health conditions but had experienced symptoms similar to dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes in tropical areas.
Patients usually recover from the disease and fatalities are extremely rare, according to the ECDC.
Twelve cases of Oporouche virus have been reported in Spain, five in Italy, and two in Germany. All of the patients had recently travelled to Cuba and Brazil.
There have been no confirmed UK cases so far.
The ECDC have warned anyone travelling in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba to remain vigilant and take precautions to reduce the risk of insect bites.
It said that recent data suggested that the virus may also cause stillbirths and birth defects.
“The impact of Oropouche infection for pregnant women, foetuses and newborns could therefore be higher than for the general population,” it added.
Brazil has reported 7,286 cases of the virus up to July 28, according to Government figures.
A total of 74 cases have been confirmed in Cuba since May, the country’s Ministry of Public Health said.
Dr Danny Altmann, a Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, told the Telegraph: “Oropouche is taking off this Summer in the Americas – so, a concern to people there, a concern to tourists.”
He added: “We should definitely be worried. Things are changing and may become unstoppable.”
The virus was first detected in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955.
