What is 'sloth fever?' And a look at other mosquito-borne illnesses | Health Watch

Published: Aug 27, 2024 Duration: 00:04:11 Category: News & Politics

Tags : news Health local ] morning-show [ health-watch

Trending searches: sloth fever virus

All right. Now on to our health watch. As always, we're joined by Doctor Syed Hussein from Trinity Health of New England. Good to see you, sir. Likewise, Tim, glad to have you here. How about this? Another mosquito borne illness to talk about and to try to put into proper context. I had not heard of it before this morning. It's called sloth fever and I guess there is at least one confirmed case in the United States. First of all, what is it? Yeah. So this is uh um uh a disease um Tim that is actually um transmitted by mosquitoes or biting flies called midges. It's mostly predominantly seen in South uh America um endemic, which means it's prevalent uh to a large degree in the Amazon area. So forested areas basically. Um and all the cases we've seen actually the outbreak uh for sloth fever started lately last year in South America, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia Peru Cuba. There were tw there have been 21 cases documented in the US so far and a similar number in Europe and out of those 2120 are in Florida, one in New York. All of those are travelers, people who recently traveled from Cuba, who brought the disease into the country, can people transmit it from? One great question. We have not seen any evidence that there's people to people transit. You would need to be bitten by a certain type of mosquito or one of these biting flies. And it looks like because these people had traveled, there's at least reason to believe there's not necessarily mosquitoes carrying sloth fever in the US. That's right. I don't know for sure. That's right. Ok. Well, that's good. And, you know, I, I won't even give it any more credence than that 20 cases in a nation of 343 150 million people. Very, very small. Especially, it looks like there's no immediate reason to believe it will spread. Right. No panic here. But if you, uh, if you're looking at traveling, especially if you're pregnant to one of these countries, you may wanna reconsider it because remember several years ago, we went through the same thing with Zika. Um, and we found out that it may have an impact on newborn or develop. Yes, exactly in pregnant women. So you may want, that's the CDC uh guidance right now related to sloth fever. Ok. Let's also talk about while we're at other mosquito borne diseases like eastern neck encephalitis or Tripoli and West Nile virus. No human cases. I'm sorry. One human case of West Nile here in Connecticut again, we're talking about very small numbers. So can you put into context just how much of a risk this is? Yeah. So just for numbers, so that people understand in an area where we may see West Nile such as New England, one in 500 mosquitoes may be infected or may be carrying this virus. And if they do bite you, one in 300 people may develop symptoms. So in other words, 80% of people um will not develop any symptoms. 20% may have mild symptoms, Tim, it's the 1% that may have severe manifestations of West Nile virus disease, which could be, you know, um impacting your brain, your spinal cord, neurological symptoms, high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, things to look out for can result in coma and death. They can. Um and people that really need to be careful are pregnant women. Um, as well as those that may have an immunocompromised status are those rough percentages the same for eastern equine encephalitis. We are seeing people who have gotten sick. Uh They got a good chance of dying if you get sick. Here's what I'll tell people because there are a lot of it's the season right now. Yes, it's mosquito season, right? Use protection. Use common sense to ensure that your skin is covered when you're in areas outdoors, dawn dusk when we know that mosquitoes out there. And um epa Environmental Protection Agency approved repellent is what is recommended. Um, along with clothing that can cover your skin as much as possible. Should people be avoiding activities? I wouldn't, I wouldn't go there as long as you take precautions. I think you can safely continue doing, you know, outdoor activities, et cetera for the summer context is important. Right? We never want to say you can't worry at all, but we don't want to worry too much because we do focus on the small. Just have to be smart. There you go. Doctor Husain. Thank you so much for taking the time to join us like he always does on the health watch.

Share your thoughts

Related Transcripts

Mainer who survived tickborne Powassan virus shares story to help educate others

Category: News & Politics

A woman from the town of carmel is speaking out about her experience with a rare tick borne virus that can cause some serious health issues. it all started six years ago when megan summers started experiencing symptoms that were misdiagnosed, including partial seizures, vision loss, joint pain and severe... Read more

Adams County reports first case of West Nile virus for 2024

Category: News & Politics

Adams county is reporting its first human case of west nile virus. and now the health department is stepping up efforts to keep people safe. west nile is usually spread by mosquito bites. so to lower the risk of catching the virus, the adams county health department is giving out free cans of insect... Read more

Fall vaccines help keep kids safe, healthy during seasonal sicknesses

Category: News & Politics

The fall and winter seasons bring crisp cool temperatures and it also brings coughs and sneezes. that makes so many of us feel miserable this time of year. so here with the tips of what we need to know as we head into the lovely six season is doctor beneath the bin from well span family in pediatric... Read more

Maine CDC: First fatal case of tick-borne Powassan reported in York County

Category: News & Politics

The main centers for disease control and prevention reports that a person in new york county has died from a deadly tick borne illness. it's called the possum virus. it's the first time someone in maine has died from possum since may of last year. the cdc says two other people in the state have been... Read more

Texan wins Mega Million Jackpot worth $800 million

Category: News & Politics

No. wow, one texan has 800 million reasons to be in a good mood today. lucky for them. someone in our state claim that big mega millions jackpot last night in the games two decade run here, just 14 texans have taken home the prize. the winning ticket purchased at a gas station in sugar land that's just... Read more

Oropouche virus, also known as "sloth fever," explained

Category: News & Politics

The detection of 21 cases of the insect born oropo virus disease also known as sloth fever in us travelers returning from cuba has prompted health officials to issue a warning recent reports of outbreaks in areas without previous endemic transmission fatal cases and vertical transmission associated... Read more

Trump says he will take part in first debate with Harris

Category: News & Politics

If not longer, not days, but it will be in front of the trial court september 5th. >> laura, we thank you for that. >>> speaking of the debate, earlier today the former president said he will take part in first debate with vice president kamala harris set for two weeks from today. news tonight,... Read more

Phoenix police chief speaks about fallen officer Zane Coolidge

Category: News & Politics

Now at nine o'clock tonight, family and friends along with brothers and sisters in blue, continuing to mourn one of their own killed in the line of duty. earlier this week, 29 year old officer zay coolidge putting up a fight for his life for several days. but yesterday we received the devastating news... Read more

Louisiana school closes mid-year with just 2 days notice

Category: News & Politics

25 years teaching students at ridgewood prep is closing its doors after class tomorrow. meg farris is at the school in metairie, and she's joining us live tonight to explain what happened. meg. and katie, families of those ridgewood students are scrambling right now to get their children enrolled in... Read more

19-year-old cadet from Central Texas found dead at U.S. Air Force Academy

Category: News & Politics

A 19 year old cadet from central texas has been found dead at the us air force academy in colorado. avery kuntz was from taylor northeast of austin. the air force academy says kuntz was found unconscious in her dormitory wednesday night academy, first responders were called to her room and attempted... Read more

Search for 2 men after fatal Old Saybrook boat crash to resume Wednesday morning

Category: News & Politics

Sarah brent. good evening. yeah, that search will resume as of eight o'clock tomorrow morning. and in the meantime, safety experts are just reiterating the need to take those safety precautions. when out on the water, a tragic end to the labor day weekend along the shore, everyone, i've never seen so... Read more

The Surprising Halt of Gary Oldman's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Sequel

Category: Entertainment

Gary oldman known for his remarkable portrayal of george smiley in the 2011 spy thriller tinker taylor soldier spy was set to reprise his role in a sequel the original film based on john l's 1974 novel was a critical and commercial success earning multiple awards and nominations including three academy... Read more