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### Planning a Sunny Getaway? Here’s a New Health Warning You Need to Know
Are you gearing up for a tropical vacation? While packing your sunscreen and flip-flops, you might want to add something unexpected to your checklist: a mosquito net. Health experts are sounding the alarm about an emerging health threat that’s making waves in popular travel destinations. The Oropouche virus, also known as “sloth fever,” has been reported in U.S. and Canadian travelers returning from countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. This tropical illness, once confined to the Amazon Basin, is now expanding its reach, raising concerns that it could become the next Zika virus. Here’s everything you need to know about this potential travel headache.
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### What is the Oropouche Virus?
The Oropouche virus is a tropical disease primarily spread through the bites of small flies called midges, as well as certain species of mosquitoes. It got its nickname “sloth fever” because the virus was first identified in sloths, slow-moving mammals believed to play a key role in its spread. Since its discovery in 1955, there have been an estimated 500,000 cases, mostly in the Amazon Basin. However, in late 2023, the virus began appearing in new areas of South America and the Caribbean where it hadn’t been seen before. This expansion has health officials on high alert.
As of March 2024, the CDC reported 109 cases of imported sloth fever in U.S. travelers from seven states, with the majority in Florida. The virus’s growing presence in new regions has raised questions about its potential to spread further, especially as global travel increases. Could this be the next Zika? Only time will tell, but travelers need to be aware of the risks.
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### Symptoms to Watch For
If you’re bitten by a mosquito or midge carrying the Oropouche virus, symptoms can appear anywhere from 3 to 10 days later. The most common symptoms include a sudden fever and severe headache, often resembling those of other tropical illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, or Zika. Additional symptoms can include chills, muscle aches, joint pain, light sensitivity, dizziness, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and a rash.
In most cases, symptoms last less than a week, and most people fully recover within a month. However, the CDC notes that some individuals may experience a recurrence of symptoms, either a few days or even weeks after initial recovery. For most people, the virus is uncomfortable but not life-threatening. However, in rare cases, it can cause more severe complications, such as excessive bleeding, brain swelling, or Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and paralysis. Fatalities are uncommon but have been reported.
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### Pregnancy Risk: A Serious Warning for Expectant Mothers
The Oropouche virus doesn’t just pose a threat to adults and children—it can also have devastating consequences for pregnant people and their unborn babies. Infection during pregnancy has been linked to stillbirths, miscarriages, and other serious risks to the fetus, such as low birth weight, skull collapse, club foot, and microcephaly, a condition where brain development is significantly impaired.
Given these risks, the CDC is advising pregnant women to reconsider any nonessential travel to areas where Oropouche outbreaks have recently been reported. For those who must travel, it’s crucial to take every precaution to avoid mosquito and midge bites. The virus’s impact on pregnancy adds urgency to understanding and addressing its spread.
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### How is Sloth Fever Treated?
Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine to prevent or specific medication to treat the Oropouche virus. If you contract the virus, your best course of action is to manage symptoms while your body fights off the infection. The CDC recommends getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. However, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided, as they can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
For those with more severe symptoms, additional medical care or even hospitalization may be required. While most people recover on their own, it’s essential to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist. Researchers are working to develop a vaccine, but until then, prevention remains the best defense.
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### How to Protect Yourself from the Oropouche Virus
To minimize your risk of contracting the Oropouche virus, your best bet is to avoid mosquito and midge bites altogether. The CDC recommends wearing loose, long-sleeved shirts and pants when traveling to regions where the virus is circulating. Bug-proof your accommodations by using window and door screens, or set up a fan outdoors to keep pests at bay. Don’t forget to pack insect repellent, either.
A recent study also found traces of the Oropouche virus in the semen of an infected individual for the first time—a finding that raises questions about potential sexual transmission. While no cases of sexual transmission have been reported, the CDC suggests that travelers who are concerned about contracting or passing the virus through sex should consider using condoms or abstaining from sex during travel and for six weeks after returning home.
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### Could Sloth Fever Start to Spread in the US?
While Oropouche cases have been reported in American travelers, the risk of widespread transmission in the continental U.S. remains low. The CDC notes that the U.S. has a different climate and distinct species of mosquitoes and midges compared to regions where the virus is common. Additionally, factors like air conditioning make it less likely for the virus to take root.
However, the agency does warn that isolated infections could still pop up in certain areas, especially as global travel and climate change continue to influence the spread of tropical diseases. For now, travelers should remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves when visiting high-risk regions. With awareness and caution, we can hope to keep this emerging threat under control.
