NINETEEN cases of so-called 'sloth virus' have been reported in Europe so far this summer. In June and July alone, 12 infections were confirmed in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany, according to the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC). 1 Eighteen of those hit by the disease had recently travelled to Cuba, while one had been in Brazil, where Oropouche recently killed two women aged 21 and 24 .
There have been more than 10,000 cases reported worldwide since the start of the year, and 500,000 since the disease was discovered in 1955. After 2024 outbreaks in countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba, and cases recorded in three European countries , experts now fear the virus will spread globally. Dr Danny Altmann, a professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, said: "We should definitely be worried.
READ MORE ON OROPOUCHE VIRAL THREAT First cases of 'sloth' fever Oropouche found in Europe after deaths in Brazil 'WAKE-UP CALL' Woman dies 'bleeding from nose, gums & vagina' after catching Oropouche bug "Things are changing and may become unstoppable." Dubbed a "mysterious threat" in the journal The Lancet , little is known about Oropouche as it is still an emerging disease. But it is transmitted by biting midges and mosquitoes that have fed on sloth, monkey or bird blood, so avoiding bites can help keep you safe.
There are also five other steps you can take to protect yourself . Most read in Health WARNING SIGN Condition that plagues 4million .