What is the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever?
NEW YORK (PIX11) – A case of the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever, was reported in New York State, the New York State Department of Health confirmed on Tuesday.
The virus commonly spreads through mosquito bites and has mostly been present in parts of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
"The state has had one reported case of Oropouche virus, which has been identified as travel-related and did not originate in New York State. To protect patient confidentiality, we are not identifying the location," a spokesperson for the health department wrote in an email.
Why is it called Sloth Fever:
It has sometimes been called sloth fever because scientists first investigated the virus and found it in a three-toed sloth, which they believed was important in spreading the virus between insects and animals.
What are the symptoms of the virus:
- sudden fever
- severe headache
- chills
- muscle aches
- joint pain
Other symptoms can include sensitivity to light, dizziness, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Symptoms are similar to tropical diseases like dengue, Zika, or malaria.
Treatment for the virus:
Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent infections. The CDC recommends resting, drinking fluids, and using analgesics (pain-relieving drugs) and fever reducers.
Asprin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out.
Can humans spread the disease:
The virus is spread to humans by mosquitos and other insect bites. Person-to-person transmission hasn't been documented.
How long does the virus last:
Symptoms can last up to a week, but more than 60% of patients have reported reoccurring symptoms a few days or weeks after infection.
Most people recover from the virus, but Brazil announced two deaths in July. Before those deaths, there were not any cases of sloth fever being deadly, according to the World Health Organization.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.