Vacation hotspots on high alert as deadly virus claims more victims
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The allure of crystal-clear waters, warm sandy beaches, and the laid-back island life has long drawn vacationers to the Caribbean.
However, a recent health alert is casting a shadow over these idyllic retreats.
A new virus, known as the oropouche virus or “sloth fever,” is causing concern among health professionals and travelers alike.
Doctors are sounding the alarm about an untreatable virus that is rapidly spreading across popular tourist destinations.
The Oropouche virus, often referred to as "sloth fever," has been detected in American travelers returning from South and Central America as well as parts of the Caribbean, where the outbreak continues to expand.
Common symptoms include high fever reaching 104°F (40°C), chills, and muscle aches. In more severe cases, the virus can also trigger skin rashes, eye pain, and even brain inflammation.
In Brazil, where the virus first surged in 2022, cases have skyrocketed, reaching 7,497 by August last year. Initially believed to have a “very low” fatality rate, experts are now reconsidering its risks after the deaths of two healthy young women in Brazil raised concerns.
The infection was previously believed to have a "very low" fatality rate, but the recent deaths of two healthy young women in Brazil have sparked growing concerns.
The virus is primarily transmitted through biting midges, though experts warn it may also spread via sexual contact. Popular vacation destinations, including Barbados, have reported cases of the outbreak.
In a newly released report, doctors are urging travelers to these regions to take preventative measures, such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent to avoid midge bites.
Additionally, pregnant women are advised to avoid traveling to affected areas, as the virus has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriages.
Once considered rare, cases of the virus have surged following an outbreak in the Brazilian Amazon that began in 2022. Since then, Brazil has recorded 6,300 cases between 2022 and 2024, with the total reaching 7,497 cases by August last year.
There is currently no cure, and 60 to 70 percent of infected individuals experience a "recurrence of the disease" anywhere from a few days to several months after the initial infection.
Experts believe that the Oropouche virus may cause recurrent symptoms either due to its persistence in the body or because the initial infection triggers prolonged inflammation, making symptoms resurface when the body is under stress.
Since January 2024, the United States has recorded 109 cases, all of which have been linked to international travel. While three patients developed brain swelling, no fatalities have been reported in the US so far.
In their warning, doctors cited guidance from The Public Health Agency of Canada, stating: "Until more information is known, travelers should take precautions to avoid insect bites."
They also advised that "pregnant people or people planning pregnancy should consider deferring travel to areas experiencing outbreaks."
Additionally, they emphasized that "currently, no antiviral drugs or vaccines for treatment or prevention of Oropouche virus disease exist."
Since there is no cure or antiviral treatment available, doctors focus on symptom management, often prescribing Tylenol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever.
Experts believe the rise in Oropouche virus cases is linked to deforestation and urbanization, which create wet and humid conditions favorable for the midges that spread the virus.
Climate change is also a major factor, as warmer and wetter conditions allow infected midges to expand their range and remain active for longer periods each year.
The virus earned its "sloth fever" nickname because it was first identified in sloths, though there is no evidence that the disease passes directly from sloths to humans.
Instead, the virus likely reaches humans when an infected midge, which has fed on a sloth, later bites a person—as sloths are a major food source for these insects.
Transmission primarily occurs through midge bites, but researchers have also detected the virus in semen, suggesting possible sexual transmission.
Symptoms typically develop two to ten days after infection and last between two to seven days. However, many patients experience a recurrence of the illness at a later time.
Source: ABC News / Youtube.
The disease is primarily diagnosed through PCR tests, though results can take seven to ten days to process.
The CDC has also issued a warning about the Oropouche virus, labeling it an "emerging virus" in the Americas in an online advisory.
This warning was highlighted in an article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
With cases on the rise, health officials in Europe and the Americas are warning travelers to take precautionary measures against Oropouche virus. Experts recommend:
What was once a tropical disease may no longer be confined to warm-weather regions, making global awareness and prevention more critical than ever.
Read next: More victims struck by this virus–what you need to know about the devastating "sloth fever"
Have you altered your travel plans due to health concerns like the oropouche virus? Do you have tips for staying healthy while traveling? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
However, a recent health alert is casting a shadow over these idyllic retreats.
A new virus, known as the oropouche virus or “sloth fever,” is causing concern among health professionals and travelers alike.
Doctors are sounding the alarm about an untreatable virus that is rapidly spreading across popular tourist destinations.
The Oropouche virus, often referred to as "sloth fever," has been detected in American travelers returning from South and Central America as well as parts of the Caribbean, where the outbreak continues to expand.
Common symptoms include high fever reaching 104°F (40°C), chills, and muscle aches. In more severe cases, the virus can also trigger skin rashes, eye pain, and even brain inflammation.
In Brazil, where the virus first surged in 2022, cases have skyrocketed, reaching 7,497 by August last year. Initially believed to have a “very low” fatality rate, experts are now reconsidering its risks after the deaths of two healthy young women in Brazil raised concerns.
An incurable virus known as the oropouche virus, or “sloth fever,” is spreading in popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Image source: S’well / Unsplash.
The infection was previously believed to have a "very low" fatality rate, but the recent deaths of two healthy young women in Brazil have sparked growing concerns.
The virus is primarily transmitted through biting midges, though experts warn it may also spread via sexual contact. Popular vacation destinations, including Barbados, have reported cases of the outbreak.
In a newly released report, doctors are urging travelers to these regions to take preventative measures, such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent to avoid midge bites.
Additionally, pregnant women are advised to avoid traveling to affected areas, as the virus has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriages.
Once considered rare, cases of the virus have surged following an outbreak in the Brazilian Amazon that began in 2022. Since then, Brazil has recorded 6,300 cases between 2022 and 2024, with the total reaching 7,497 cases by August last year.
There is currently no cure, and 60 to 70 percent of infected individuals experience a "recurrence of the disease" anywhere from a few days to several months after the initial infection.
Experts believe that the Oropouche virus may cause recurrent symptoms either due to its persistence in the body or because the initial infection triggers prolonged inflammation, making symptoms resurface when the body is under stress.
Since January 2024, the United States has recorded 109 cases, all of which have been linked to international travel. While three patients developed brain swelling, no fatalities have been reported in the US so far.
In their warning, doctors cited guidance from The Public Health Agency of Canada, stating: "Until more information is known, travelers should take precautions to avoid insect bites."
Oropouche virus has symptoms including high fever, muscle aches, and in serious cases, rashes, eye pain, and brain swelling. Image source: WTHR / Youtube.
They also advised that "pregnant people or people planning pregnancy should consider deferring travel to areas experiencing outbreaks."
Additionally, they emphasized that "currently, no antiviral drugs or vaccines for treatment or prevention of Oropouche virus disease exist."
Since there is no cure or antiviral treatment available, doctors focus on symptom management, often prescribing Tylenol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever.
Experts believe the rise in Oropouche virus cases is linked to deforestation and urbanization, which create wet and humid conditions favorable for the midges that spread the virus.
Climate change is also a major factor, as warmer and wetter conditions allow infected midges to expand their range and remain active for longer periods each year.
The virus earned its "sloth fever" nickname because it was first identified in sloths, though there is no evidence that the disease passes directly from sloths to humans.
Instead, the virus likely reaches humans when an infected midge, which has fed on a sloth, later bites a person—as sloths are a major food source for these insects.
Transmission primarily occurs through midge bites, but researchers have also detected the virus in semen, suggesting possible sexual transmission.
Symptoms typically develop two to ten days after infection and last between two to seven days. However, many patients experience a recurrence of the illness at a later time.
Source: ABC News / Youtube.
The disease is primarily diagnosed through PCR tests, though results can take seven to ten days to process.
The CDC has also issued a warning about the Oropouche virus, labeling it an "emerging virus" in the Americas in an online advisory.
This warning was highlighted in an article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
With cases on the rise, health officials in Europe and the Americas are warning travelers to take precautionary measures against Oropouche virus. Experts recommend:
- Using insect repellent regularly
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers
- Avoiding travel to outbreak regions if pregnant or planning pregnancy
What was once a tropical disease may no longer be confined to warm-weather regions, making global awareness and prevention more critical than ever.
Read next: More victims struck by this virus–what you need to know about the devastating "sloth fever"
Have you altered your travel plans due to health concerns like the oropouche virus? Do you have tips for staying healthy while traveling? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
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