A disease transmitted by mosquitoes — the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever — has been detected in the United States.
Travelers returning to the U.S. from Cuba contracted the virus in recent months, as reported by The Associated Press. No fatalities have been reported.
The Oropouche virus is endemic in the Amazon basin and has also been reported in South America and the Caribbean.
More than 8,000 cases were reported globally between Jan. 1 and Aug. 1, 2024, including two deaths and five cases of transmission from mother to fetus, the CDC noted in an Aug. 16 advisory.
So far, 11 cases have been identified in travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil, the CDC stated.
"Although travel-associated cases have been identified in the United States, no evidence of local transmission currently exists within the United States or its territories," the agency said.
"As testing and surveillance for Oropouche virus disease increase in the Americas, reports of cases from additional countries are expected."