DEBILITATING ‘sloth’ fever could be passed on via sex, experts fear, after the virus was detected in sperm.
The little-known disease, officially called Oropouche virus, was found in Europe this summer for the first time after it started spreading rapidly in Latin America.
The bug typically circulates between primates, including sloths – hence the nickname – before it is occasionally passed to humans by midges and mosquitoes.
Until now, experts didn’t think the virus could spread from person to person.
But a new study found “live” Oropouche virus in the semen of a 42-year-old Italian man 16 days after he initially developed symptoms, sparking concerns about possible sexual transmission.
The findings, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, could also impact sperm donation and fertility treatments.
“Pending further evidence we recommend use of barrier protection when engaging in sexual intercourse if OROV is confirmed or suspected,” the Italian researchers said.
Most Oropouche infections are mild, with symptoms similar to Dengue, including a headache, body pains, nausea, a rash and sensitivity to light.
Some individuals may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms, like sickness and diarrhoea.
In severe cases, the virus can also attack the brain leading to meningitis or encephalitis, which can be fatal.
To make matters worse, the disease is currently incurable.
It has been circulating in Latin America and the Caribbean for decades.
A surge in cases of the bug, which is endemic in the Amazon Rainforest, has been recorded in Brazil this year – 7,284, up from 832 in 2023.
And many infections have been recorded in areas that have not previously seen the virus, including Cuba.
Last month, Brazil reported the world’s first deaths from the bug after two women in their early twenties passed away in Bahia state in the northeast of the country,
The two women, aged 21 and 24, suffered severe bleeding and hypotension and were reported dead on July 25.
At least 19 cases of Oropouche were reported in Europe for the first time in June and July, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – with 12 in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany.
But these cases were imported into Europe – 18 of the people infected had just travelled back from Cuba and one of them from Brazil.
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
