MORE cases of a debilitating 'sloth' bug spread by biting insects have been detected in Europe. Three people in the Canary Islands have tested positive for Oropouche virus after returning from the Caribbean, according to local health officials. 3 How the virus spreads from sloths to humans Credit: PA They included a 36-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, who both live in Tenerife and another 52-year-old man, who lives in Gran Canaria.
They all began exhibiting classic symptoms of fever, diarrhoea , and joint pain shortly after returning from Cuba, where the disease is widespread. Although all the victims have since recovered, three additional potential cases have now emerged, the Ministry of Health reports. In July Europe reported its first cases of the bug in mainland Spain, Italy and Germany.
Read more on sloth fever VIRAL THREAT 'Sloth' fever detected in Florida as holidaymakers told 'take precautions' DANGER ZONE The 6 things all travellers must do to protect themselves from 'sloth virus' Last week, the US reported its first cases in Florida of people returning from Cuba and South America. The disease is primarily spread by pinhead-sized midge and possibly mosquitos, but it originates in animals like sloths - which is why it has been given the nickname "sloth fever." There is so far no evidence to suggest the virus can spread between people.
The virus, which belongs to the same family as Zika and Dengue Fever , is currently incurable, with no available treatments. Most .