More than 20 U.S. travelers returning from Cuba have tested positive for Oropouche virus, also named sloth fever, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday
Oropouche virus is primarily spread through the bites of infected midges, though some mosquitoes have been known to carry the virus.
It was first discovered in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955 on the Oropouche river that it was named after and the virus has circulated in Latin America and the Caribbean since, with sporadic outbreaks recorded in countries like Brazil and Peru.
According to the CDC, 60% of those infected with the virus may develop symptoms, which can include fever, severe headache, joint and muscular pain, nausea, disorientation, chills, and light sensitivity three to 10 days after infection.
Most people recover within several days to a month and symptoms typically last less than a week, the CDC said, though they often recur days or even weeks later.
A small proportion of people infected with Oropouche—fewer than 5%—go on to develop more serious disease including meningitis, brain inflammation and bleeding, though death is rare.
Oropouche has no cure or vaccine, so health experts recommend preventing midge and mosquito bites in areas where the disease is known to occur with insect repellant and door and window screens.