More than 20 people returning to the U.S. from Cuba have been infected with the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever, transmitted by bugs in recent months. The virus is native to forested tropical areas and is spread to humans by small biting flies called midges and some types of mosquitoes. The virus was first identified in 1955 in Trinidad and has caused large outbreaks in South America and the Caribbean, with about 8,000 cases reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru.
Symptoms of Oropouche virus can include fever, headaches, muscle aches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Some patients can experience more severe symptoms like bleeding, meningitis, and encephalitis, but it is rarely fatal. There are no vaccines to prevent infections or medicines to treat the symptoms.
The virus can potentially be passed on from a pregnant woman to a fetus, similar to what was seen during Zika outbreaks. The CDC has recommended pregnant women avoid non-essential travel to Cuba and suggests all travelers take steps to prevent bug bites, such as using insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
While there have been 21 reported cases of Oropouche virus in the U.S. so far, all of them in Florida and New York, there is no evidence of it spreading locally. Nevertheless, health officials are warning U.S. doctors to watch out for the infection in travelers coming from Cuba and South America.
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