“Sloth fever” is caused by the Oropouche virus and is formally known as Oropouche virus disease or Oropouche fever.
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Sloth fever has been reported in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Β
The Oropouche virus was named after a village in Trinidad and Tobago where the virus was first isolated from an infected person. Β
Approximately 60% of people infected with the Oropouche virus become ill, experiencing symptoms of Sloth fever.
Symptoms of Sloth fever include fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rash.
Orthobunyaviruses are a group of viruses that includes the Oropouche virus, which is different from flaviviruses like dengue and alphaviruses like chikungunya. Β
Sloth fever is not directly contagious between humans. It is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes and biting midges. Β
The Oropouche virus was first identified in 1955. Β
Yes, serious complications such as encephalitis and meningitis (inflammation of the brain and surrounding membranes) have occasionally been reported. Β