Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Health
Alexander Butler

What is sloth fever? Symptoms and advice after UK Oropouche virus cases

United Kingdom Disease UKHSA
There people were confirmed to have the Oropuche virus in the UK after coming home from Brazil. It is also known as ‘sloth fever’ - (Alamy/PA)

The UK’s health security watchdog has issued an urgent warning as cases of a deadly malaria-like “sloth virus” were found in Britain for the first time.

Three cases of Oropouche virus, which naturally occurs in sloths, primates and birds, were reported across Britain between January and June 2025, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
We are reclaiming real life after getting rid of Instagram
Letters: Readers on taking back their lives – and brains – from social media algorithms
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
The U.K.'s Online Safety Act Has Been a Failure. Regulators Want To Broaden It Anyway.
A new report reveals more shortcomings of the U.K.’s Online Safety Act.
Reason
Reason
British Embassy quashes Winnie-the-Pooh return rumors, keeping the famed bear in New York
It turns out Winnie-the-Pooh and his fluffy friends aren’t being bear-napped from their longtime home at the New York Public Library
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
79 Nostalgic Photos That Take ’80s Kids Straight Back To Their Childhoods
80s had everything: bright neon colors, ABBA, Queen, and Madonna on the radio, huge power suits, and poofy hair that is now only associated with hair metal bands. If you love this decade, take a trip down memory lane with these pics from r/80s, where people share nostalgic items and…
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Billy Corgan defends decades-long friendship with Marilyn Manson
Billy Corgan haș defended his friendship with Marilyn Manson, insisting that just because he stood by the rocker amid sexual abuse allegations, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have “an opinion”.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Ancestors all around – millions of dead people linger in Americans’ memories
Halloween kicks off a series of religious and cultural festivals to honor the dead, including All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day and the Day of the Dead. But deceased loved ones don’t disappear from people’s social worlds once the ghost and skeleton decorations come down.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play