What Is Sloth Fever? Here's What to Know About the Potentially Deadly Virus Spreading to the United States

The CDC is sending out a warning about the Oropouche virus — also known as “sloth fever” — as several cases have been reported in Florida

A potentially deadly virus known as “sloth fever” has made its way to the United States, causing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a warning.

The Oropouche virus, typically reported in South America, Central America and the Caribbean, is spread primarily through the bite of infected midges, which are tiny biting insects. Mosquitoes are also known to carry the virus.

It is often referred to as “sloth virus” or “sloth fever” because sloths are among the animals infected regularly. According to medical journal The Lancet, the virus has a reservoir in pale-throated sloths, non-human primates and birds.

“The term ‘sloth fever’ is a colloquial name that has emerged due to the virus being found in areas where sloths, which are known to carry a range of parasites and pathogens, are present,” said Carolina Goncalves, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmica, per the Independent. “However, the name is relatively misleading as it is spread by insect bites, not by direct contact with sloths.”

The Oropouche virus, which was first detected in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago, is endemic in parts of South America. However, in the past year there have been significantly more cases as well as infections outside of the Amazon basin, where it is typically found.

Florida reported 20 travel-related cases of Oropouche virus, nine of which were reported last week. This year, there have been more than 8,000 confirmed cases between January 1 and August 1, compared to the 832 confirmed cases in 2023.

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Among these cases, two deaths were reported in Brazil. There were also five cases of transmission associated with fetal death or birth defects.

The CDC issued a health advisory about the possibility for transmission from a mother to the fetus during pregnancy.

About 60% of those infected with the virus will experience symptoms including fever, sensitivity to light, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, chills or skin rash. Serious symptoms include severe abdominal pain, hemorrhagic symptoms, and meningitis, which cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Although rare, death is possible when severe symptoms occur.

In most cases, symptoms last less than a week. However, the CDC said they often recur days or even weeks later.

There are no medicines to treat the Oropouche virus or prevent infection. Health experts say the best defense is to simply prevent bites from midges and mosquitoes through insect repellent or using door and window screens.

The CDC is also recommending that pregnant people avoid nonessential travel to areas of infection, including Cuba and Brazil.

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