Two die as deadly 'sloth fever' warning issued with 'unstoppable' cases reported across Europe

A warning has been issued to millions of tourists after a deadly virus has been reported across Europe alongside two reported deaths.

The two fatalities, both in Brazil, have come as a result of the deadly 'sloth fever' which has been brought back to Europe by people visiting South America.

Officially called the Oropouche virus, the outbreak is commonly found in place such as the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas. The name comes from the animal in which it was first found, pale-throated sloths.

Oropouche thrives in tropical places like the Amazon rainforest. (Getty Stock Image)

Transmitted by midges and mosquitoes, it causes extreme fever and diarrhoea in those infected with the virus.

In Italy, a 26-year-old woman and 45-year-old man have both been hospitalised with symptoms of Oropouche - or Orov - according to local press. They both went to hospital after reportedly arriving back in Italy from a holiday to Cuba.

Dr Danny Altmann, Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, told The Telegraph: "We should definitely be worried.

"Things are changing and may become unstoppable."

Two people in their 20s have died as a result of the Oropouche virus. (Getty Stock Image)

So far, 15 official cases have been reported in Spain during June and July. That is alongside five in Italy and two in Germany, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The ECDC issued a warning to pregnant women in particular, saying: "The impact of Orov infection for pregnant women, foetuses and newborns could therefore be higher than for the general population."

Dr Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, also said that he would advise 'against non-essential travel to infected areas for pregnant women'.

As well as Brazil and Cuba, cases have been found in Bolivia, Colombia and Peru.

The Oropouche virus is called 'sloth fever' after being first found in pale-throated sloths. (Getty Stock Image)

In Brazil, thousands of cases have been officially reported with 7,286 cases recorded across 21 states - a number that is already higher than the entire total for 2023. Data was up to 28 July, meaning more will now likely be around.

Orov was first reported in 1955, named after the area it was found - the Oropouche River in Trinidad and Tobago.

The two recent victims of the virus, reported in Brazil, were 21 and 24. They suffered intense abdominal pain, bleeding, and hypotension.

Oropouche symptoms

Symptoms include fever, headache, joint pains and muscle aches.

They are the most common alongside skin rashes, a sensitivity to light, feeling sick and being sick.

The majority of cases resolve themselves within two to seven days but it can impact people severely, taking voer the central nervous system with symptoms of meningitis reported.

There is currently no vaccine to treat the virus.