Sloth fever is spreading in Europe and America, danger for pregnant women
An emerging virus called ‘sloth fever’ is spreading rapidly in the US and Europe. This virus, spread by mosquitoes and mosquitoes, poses a great threat especially to pregnant women.
A rare virus called “sloth fever” has been identified in 21 travelers returning to the United States from Cuba, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Sloth fever, named after its initial discovery in South American sloths, and described as a “mystery menace” by The Lancet, is an emerging threat that worries health experts.
The virus, formally known as Oropouche fever, recently killed two women in their 20s in Brazil. It is believed to be spread by mosquitoes and mosquitoes and has now been detected in Europe, with 19 cases reported this year – 12 in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany.
The virus is mainly spread by the bite of mosquitoes or insects that feed on the blood of sloths, monkeys or birds.
It resembles dengue fever and is particularly risky for pregnant women. Its symptoms usually include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, chills, and sensitivity to light.
In rare cases, it can lead to serious conditions such as meningitis and encephalitis. Although most people recover without any lasting effects, the virus can be dangerous for unborn babies, potentially causing stillbirth, miscarriage or birth defects.
How does lethargic fever affect pregnant women?
At the moment, there is no vaccine or cure for lethargic fever. Prevention is challenging, as traditional methods such as using bed nets may not be effective due to the small size of mosquitoes.
According to health experts, anyone suffering from lethargic fever can make a full recovery. But much is still unknown about the emerging virus.
The CDC warns that severe cases of the virus can lead to neuroinvasive diseases such as meningitis.
On 17 July, the United Nations issued a warning about the potential health risks to an unborn baby if a mother becomes infected with the virus during pregnancy.
Possible cases of mother-to-child transmission are currently under investigation in Brazil.
The cases being studied include four newborns with microcephaly (abnormally small head) who tested positive for antibodies to the Oropouche virus, though they were negative for other viruses, such as Zika.
In addition, there have been reports of a woman giving birth to a stillborn baby after being infected with the virus in June, as well as another woman suffering a miscarriage.