First cases of deadly Brazilian 'sloth fever' reported in Europe
Medical journal The Lancet has branded Oropouche a 'mysterious threat' as fears of a major outbreak grow
Fears of a major outbreak of a deadly Brazilian virus are growing following confirmed cases in Europe. Oropouche, known as 'sloth fever', is transmitted to humans through midge or mosquito bites.
Most cases of Oropouche fever are mild, with symptoms including headache, muscle pain, nausea, and rashes. But in some cases, the virus can cause meningitis and encephalitis, ultimately leading to death. There is also evidence that infection in pregnant women may lead to miscarriage, abortion and/or developmental problems, and deformities of the foetus.
Cases have now been discovered in Italy, after two people who visited Cuba were admitted to hospital showing symptoms of the disease, The Lancet Reports.
A 26-year-old woman was confimed to have the illness after being diagnosed with fever and diarrhoea after her trip to Cuba's Ciego de Avila province, returning to Verona on May 26. Meanwhile, a 45-year-old man began experiencing symptoms shortly after his summer travels to Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
He receieved medical treatment in Fori, northern Italy, on June 7. Cases in Spain have also been reported, The Lancet claims, and they too have been linked to trips to Cuba.
"We should definitely be worried," Dr Danny Altmann, Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, told the Telegraph. "Things are changing and may become unstoppable."
Although overall 500 000 cases of Oropouche fever have been recorded since the discovery of the virus, there is very limited knowledge of the disease, states The Lancet.
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It comes as Brazil reported the first fatalities from the virus worldwide, with two young women struck down by the bug. The victims, a 21-year-old and a 24-year-old, suffered from intense abdominal pain, bleeding, and hypotension before passing away on July 25.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is advising people to take steps to reduce their risk of being bitten by insects. This includes: "The use of repellent in accordance with the instructions indicated on the product label, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers and using insecticide-treated fine mesh mosquito bed nets when resting.
"These measures are essential to provide protection against bites in rooms that are not adequately screened (with fine-mesh screens on doors and windows) or air-conditioned, and during outdoor activities."
Pregnant women travelling to infected areas are also being advised to consider their trip and remain cautious in such areas. The Lancet believes that more cases will be reported 'in other areas' due to travellers contracting the illness.
"Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or specific therapies available or in development," the publication states. "Typical control interventions for vector-borne diseases such as insect repellents and mosquito nets might not be optimal to slow the spread of Oropouche virus: midges are very small and can pass through nets and they might be less affected by commonly used insect repellents.
"However, chemical insecticides such as deltamethrin and N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide have been demonstrated to be effective in controlling Culicoides and Culex species."
