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The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
What is sloth fever? Symptoms and advice after UK Oropouche virus cases
The UK's health security watchdog has issued an urgent warning as cases of a deadly malaria-like ' sloth virus ' were found in Britain for the first time. Three cases of Oropouche virus, which naturally occurs in sloths, primates and birds, were reported across Britain between January and June 2025, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA. All three cases were in people who had returned to the UK after travelling abroad to Brazil after a surge of virus infections across the region. In some cases, the tropical disease can lead to meningitis and death, with two people in Brazil dying from the virus over the last few years. Here, The Independent takes a look at Oropouche virus symptoms and what experts say to do if you think you have the disease. Signs and symptoms of Oropouche virus disease fever headache joint pain muscle aches chills nausea and vomiting rash sensitivity to light dizziness pain behind the eyes How is it spread and how to avoid it? The lesser-known infection is spread through bites from small midges and some mosquitos, and can also be transmitted through sexual activity. It is also feared the disease can be spread from mothers to babies during pregnancy, which can cause congenital or developmental abnormalities, according to the UKHSA. There is no cure, but there are preventative measures travellers can take like wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent to ward off midges. These insect repellents need to be 50 per cent DEET—the active ingredient which repels pests like midges and mosquitos. Other measures include staying in places with air conditioning or window screens with fine mesh to keep out midges and using insecticide-treated fine mesh bed nets. What is the cause and how is it treated? Oropouche virus is an RNA virus that belongs to the Simbu serogroup of the genus Orthobunyavirus in the family Peribunyaviridae, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment is about managing symptoms: rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take paracetamol or other over-the-counter meds to ease fever and pain, the UKHSA says. If you develop severe symptoms, especially anything that might suggest brain involvement (like severe headache, confusion, or neck stiffness), the agency urges people to seek immediate medical help.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Phase III of the East African Community (EAC) Mobile Laboratories Project launched
Phase III of the EAC Mobile Laboratories Project was launched today on the sidelines of the 25th EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health in Arusha Tanzania. This milestone strengthens the region's capacity for rapid, accurate disease detection and response under the One Health approach, enhancing cross-border surveillance for outbreaks such as Covid-19, Ebola, Marburg, Mpox, and others. The initiative underscores the EAC's commitment to regional health security and pandemic preparedness, made possible through strong partnerships with KfW, GIZ, and other development partners. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Japan Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Japan Times
Japan bolsters pandemic readiness with new health crisis institute
As Japan marks two years of COVID-19 being reclassified into a lower-risk category under the country's infectious diseases control law, the government is accelerating its efforts to prepare for future outbreaks. The Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS), established in April, represents the centerpiece of a strengthened framework designed to apply hard-learned lessons from the early missteps of the pandemic. 'By bringing together diverse knowledge and expertise, we aim to reinforce our health crisis management system,' said Norihiro Kokudo, president of JIHS, during the organization's inauguration ceremony. The institute combines the functions of the former National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM) to create an integrated research and advisory body. JIHS conducts research that ranges from basic virology to clinical studies, while also providing scientific counsel to policymakers and communicating information to the public. The organization's launch comes amid a broader shift in Japan's pandemic preparedness infrastructure following COVID-19's reclassification to Class 5 — the same tier as seasonal influenza — on May 8, 2023. In the event of a serious outbreak of an infectious disease, the institute is tasked with alerting the government, which would then activate its contingency plans and coordinate with prefectural authorities to implement a response. Takaji Wakita, deputy head of the JIHS, said the institute would provide 'solid scientific knowledge' to both the government and the public, as the country seeks to bolster its preparedness for future pandemics. In an interview with Jiji Press in April, Wakita, a virologist who previously headed the NIID, said the lessons of COVID-19 had driven the creation of the new agency. 'The experience during the coronavirus pandemic showed that information gathering, analysis, and the provision of scientific insights were insufficient,' he said. He pointed to shortcomings in Japan's infrastructure for the development of vaccines and treatments. 'Our reflections on that led to the establishment of JIHS,' he added. 'We're building a system in which doctors can both treat patients and engage in clinical research to develop therapeutics.' Wakita served as chair of the health ministry's advisory board throughout the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis. He now plays a key role in the newly consolidated organization, which merges the NIID with the NCGM — an institution with both research and hospital functions. 'From vaccine R&D to treatment and workforce training, an integrated approach is essential,' Wakita said. 'We aim to respond not only to infectious diseases but to health crises more broadly.' The government has emphasized preparedness during noncrisis periods, but Wakita cautioned that this can be difficult. 'What makes infectious disease countermeasures challenging is that, in normal times, there are no patients,' he said. To bridge that gap, JIHS began monitoring acute respiratory infections — including the common cold — in April, gathering patient data and analyzing specimens from designated medical institutions across the country. In doing so, it hopes to detect potential new pathogens at an earlier stage. 'By collecting broad data, we can detect anomalies like the emergence of unknown infectious diseases,' Wakita said. 'We will provide the government with steady, science-based advice.' Translated by The Japan Times
