The UK’s medical community is on high alert as doctors are urged to look out for signs of a lethal virus identified in popular British holiday spots, such as the Canary Islands. Known as the Oropouche virus or Sloth Fever, this mosquito-borne illness has no known cure, and medical professionals have been put on notice amidst growing concerns.
The American CDC and the esteemed British Medical Journal (BMJ) have both sounded the alarm, with over 8,000 global cases reported this year, including instances in Europe. Shockingly, the Canary Islands have announced three new cases.
Frighteningly, the BMJ has issued troubling reports stating: “The first ever deaths from the disease were recorded this year, and there has been a sharp increase in reported infections.”
The journal further warns: “The virus is now spreading far from the Amazon, where it is usually found in animals, and there is evidence of vertical transmission from women to their fetuses, possibly causing birth defects and stillbirths.”
In a stern warning to Europe, the ECDC has declared a high-level alert after the disease struck at least 19 individuals across the continent, including Spain and Germany, in recent months, reports Bristol Live.
The latest victims include a 36 year old man and a 32 year old woman from Tenerife, as well as a 52 year old man from Gran Canaria. Dr Enny Paixao, associate professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explained: “Several factors may explain the recent outbreak, including enhanced surveillance, climate and environmental changes, and potential changes to the virus.”
“Similarly to other vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, climate change may also be impacting oropouche virus expansion. Changes to temperature and precipitation can affect transmission, for example, rising temperatures can enhance the rate of development of culicoides midges, one of the virus’ main transmission vectors in South America alongside mosquitos.”
Carolina Goncalves, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmica, clarified: “The term ‘sloth fever’ is a colloquial name that has emerged due to the virus being found in areas where sloths, which are known to carry a range of parasites and pathogens, are present. However, the name is relatively misleading as it is spread by insect bites, not by direct contact with sloths. Common symptoms include a rash, headache, muscle or joint pain with weakness. Affected individuals will typically experience a fever illness three to eight days after infection.”
“There is much we still do not know about the oropouche virus but one of the main concerns arising from the current outbreak in South America is its potential harmful effects on unborn foetuses,” noted Paixao. Presently, there are no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines available to tackle the oropouche virus.