Scientist’s bleak warning over ‘sloth virus’ as cases surge through Europe

The spread of a debilitating virus originating in sloths has been reported in Europe for the first time, prompting horror warnings from scientists.

The Oropouche virus, which is spread through insect bites, including midges and mosquitos, has now been reported in 19 people over the past two months, the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) says.

Last month two women, aged 21 and 24, were struck down by the virus in Brazil and became the first fatalities of the international outbreak reported so far.

They suffered from intense abdominal pain, bleeding, and hypotension before dying on July 25, according to reports.

Scientists are now sounding the alarm after twelve cases were reported in Spain, five in Italy, and two in Germany, as the virus arrives on the continent.

Speaking to The Telegraph last week, Dr Danny Altmann, a professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, said: “We should definitely be worried. Things are changing and may become unstoppable.”

Most cases of Oropouche fever are mild, with symptoms including headache, muscle pain, nausea, and rashes. But in some cases, the virus can cause meningitis and encephalitis, ultimately leading to death.

There is also evidence that infection in pregnant women may lead to miscarriage, abortion and/or developmental problems, and deformities of the foetus.

But though disease can be potentially deadly, deaths from the it are extremely rare and recovery is common, according to the ECDC. Symptoms subside within four days in most cases, according to health experts.

The virus originates in pale-throated sloths, non-human primates and birds, according to experts, and there is currently no vaccine to fight it.

Several countries across South America, Central America and the Caribbean have reported outbreaks so far, with a handful of recent cases in Italy and Spain linked to travel to Cuba, The Lancet reported on Sunday.

The virus is thought to come from the same family of diseases as Dengue and Zika virus, both of which can be deadly.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is advising people to take steps to reduce their risk of being bitten by insects. This includes: “The use of repellent in accordance with the instructions indicated on the product label, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers and using insecticide-treated fine mesh mosquito bed nets when resting.

“These measures are essential to provide protection against bites in rooms that are not adequately screened (with fine-mesh screens on doors and windows) or air-conditioned, and during outdoor activities.”

Pregnant women travelling to infected areas are also being advised to consider their trip and remain cautious in such areas. The Lancet believes that more cases will be reported ‘in other areas’ due to travellers contracting the illness.

The publication also warned that “Typical control interventions for vector-borne diseases such as insect repellents and mosquito nets might not be optimal to slow the spread of Oropouche virus: midges are very small and can pass through nets and they might be less affected by commonly used insect repellents.

“However, chemical insecticides such as deltamethrin and N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide have been demonstrated to be effective in controlling Culicoides and Culex species.”