'Sloth virus' reported in Europe for 1st time — what is it?

Spain, Italy and Germany all reported infections in patients who had recently travelled to Cuba and Brazil where the tropical bug, called Oropouche virus (OROV), dubbed 'sloth fever', is circulating.

In June and July, 12 cases were reported in Spain, five in Italy, and two in Germany, according to the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC).

According to studies, the disease is mainly spread by insect bites, including mosquitoes, and originates in sloths — hence the nickname, sloth fever.

Oropouche virus can cause symptoms similar to Zika, including sudden fever, muscle aches, light sensitivity, eye pain, vomiting and rash, chills, headaches and stiff joints.

In roughly 4% of cases, the virus can infect the nervous system, causing inflammation around the spinal cord and brain or within the brain.

Severe cases may result in meningitis, a brain swelling disease.

There is no evidence to suggest the virus can spread between people.

There are no vaccines to treat the virus, which comes from the same family of diseases as the Zika virus and Dengue Fever.

European health officials warned of a 'moderate' threat to travellers visiting Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba.

The impact of an OROV infection on pregnant women, fetuses and newborns could be higher than for the general population, health officials said.

As more cases are recorded in Europe, British travellers heading to countries where the virus is circulating are being warned to 'take precautions' by wearing long-sleeved clothes, using mosquito nets and applying insect repellent that contains DEET to reduce insect bites.

Health officials say the prognosis for recovery is good and fatal outcomes are rare.