MORE cases of a debilitating ‘sloth’ bug spread by biting insects have been detected in Europe.
Three people in the Canary Islands have tested positive for Oropouche virus after returning from the Caribbean, according to local health officials.
They included a 36-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, who both live in Tenerife and another 52-year-old man, who lives in Gran Canaria.
They all began exhibiting classic symptoms of fever, diarrhoea, and joint pain shortly after returning from Cuba, where the disease is widespread.
Although all the victims have since recovered, three additional potential cases have now emerged, the Ministry of Health reports.
In July Europe reported its first cases of the bug in mainland Spain, Italy and Germany.
Last week, the US reported its first cases in Florida of people returning from Cuba and South America.
The disease is primarily spread by pinhead-sized midge and possibly mosquitos, but it originates in animals like sloths – which is why it has been given the nickname “sloth fever.”
There is so far no evidence to suggest the virus can spread between people.
The virus, which belongs to the same family as Zika and Dengue Fever, is currently incurable, with no available treatments.
To make matters worse, an expert has warned preventing the bug’s spread may be extremely challenging, as standard insect repellents could prove ineffective.
Beginning late last year, the virus was identified as the cause of large outbreaks in Amazon regions where it was known to exist, as well as in new areas in South America and Cuba.
About 8,000 locally acquired cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru.
Health chiefs at the US Centre for Disease Control (CDCD) have warned pregnant people to reconsider non-essential travel to Cuba.
It comes as new evidence suggests the virus can cause miscarriages and/or birth defects including microcephaly – where a baby’s head is much smaller than expected.
“If travel is unavoidable, pregnant travellers should strictly follow Oropouche virus prevention recommendations to prevent insect bites during travel,” it said.
Travellers heading to countries where the virus is circulating have been warned by Prof Francois Balloux director of the University College London’s Genetics Institute to “take precautions”.
“Since, Oropouche is transmitted by mosquitos, the best way to protect oneself is to take precautions to reduce insect bites,” he previously told the Sun.
This includes wearing long-sleeved clothes, using mosquito nets and using insect repellent that contains DEET.
However, Dr Marine J Petit, a virologist from the University of Surrey cautioned that standard insect repellents and mosquito nets might not completely “do the trick”.
This is because the virus can also be spread by tiny midges, which can “slip through the nets and might not be bothered by the usual repellents,” she told the Sun.
“My advice will be to monitor symptoms, which may appear in a week following the bite by infected midges or mosquitoes,” she explained.
Symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to dengue and include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light.
Severe cases may result in brain diseases such as meningitis, a brain swelling disease.
She also warned Brits travelling to affected countries to avoid cities where the virus has been spotted.
“It might be wise to avoid tropical forests or cities with current outbreaks,” she told the Sun.
Oropouche fever is a disease caused by Oropouche virus
It is spread through the bites of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes.
Symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to dengue and include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light.
Severe cases may result in brain diseases such as meningitis.
Symptoms typically start 4–8 days after being bitten and last 3–6 days.
Most people recover without long-term effects.
There are no specific medications or vaccines are available.
Precautions
Travellers heading to affected areas should take steps to avoid bug bites.
The virus is endemic in many South American countries, in both rural and urban communities.
Outbreaks are periodically reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Wear tops with long sleeves and long trousers, apply insect repellent regularly, and sleep under a mosquito net if you are not in enclosed, air-conditioned accommodation.
Source: US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
