The horrors of "sloth fever": a deadly virus has resulted in the first reported death of an unborn child.

The Oropouche Virus, also known as "sloth fever," raised concerns earlier this year when it spread beyond its typical South American range to Spain, Italy, Germany, and the USA. The disease is named after the animal in which the virus was first identified and still lacks a specific treatment or effective vaccine, reports Daily Mail.

The virus is known to manifest 4-8 days after infection, presenting symptoms such as:

• headache;
• muscle pain;
• joint stiffness;
• nausea;
• chills;
• light sensitivity;
• vomiting.

The danger lies in the virus's ability to quickly penetrate the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system, potentially causing meningitis, and in extreme cases, leading to death. It primarily spreads through insect bites, but there is limited evidence suggesting it may also be transmitted sexually.

Previously, scientists believed that only two cases of maternal-to-child transmission of the virus were confirmed, but a third incident has now come to light. Medical professionals documented a case in the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará, where a 40-year-old woman at 30 weeks of pregnancy was infected with the Oropouche virus.

In July 2024, the patient developed fever, chills, muscle pain, and severe headache. Just three days later, she experienced mild vaginal bleeding and dark discharge. Symptoms persisted for 9 days, initially indicating that the baby was fine, but subsequent scans confirmed that the fetus had died during that period. Later, doctors conducted tests and determined that the patient was infected with the Oropouche virus, which led to the stillbirth.

Researchers tested the stillborn boy and found no developmental abnormalities, but the analysis also revealed the presence of the virus in his brain, cerebrospinal fluid, lungs, liver, umbilical cord, and placenta. The study's results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, with authors stating that the findings underscore the risks of Oropouche virus infection during pregnancy.

It is noteworthy that this tragic incident occurred just months after more than a dozen cases of the virus were reported in Europe. Although Oropouche is referred to as "sloth fever," the virus is not spread by the animals themselves but by small blood-sucking insects, such as midges, which can transmit the disease from sloths to other animals, including humans.

While the disease can be potentially fatal, fatalities are extremely rare, and recovery is common. In most cases, symptoms resolve within four days after onset. However, scientists are still investigating the virus's effects on pregnancy: there have been reports of miscarriages and an increased risk of congenital defects, such as microcephaly—where newborns have abnormally small heads. The virus also belongs to the same family of pathogens as Zika, which is known to increase the risk of miscarriage and congenital defects.

Researchers note that the virus is unlikely to establish itself in countries with cooler climates, but it could pose a risk for those traveling abroad to affected areas. Analysis of the current strain of the virus has also shown that it has become more effective at infecting humans, which may explain the rise in cases in regions where it was previously absent.

Researchers have also concluded that climate change likely played a role in the virus's spread, as habitat destruction has increased interactions between humans and animals that could potentially carry the disease. It is important to note that the virus was first discovered back in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict them. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For diagnosis, please consult a doctor.