A deadly malaria-like “sloth virus” has been detected in Britain for the first time, triggering a warning from the UK’s health watchdog to those with symptoms to seek urgent medical help.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data has revealed there were three cases of Oropouche virus reported in Britain between January and June this year.
The tropical disease is usually found in South America and can cause fevers, headaches, pain behind the eyes, and in rare instances lead to meningitis and death, the watchdog warned.
“If a person becomes unwell with symptoms such as high fever, chills, headache, joint pain and muscle aches following travel to affected areas, they should seek urgent medical advice,” the UKHSA warned.
All three cases were people who had returned to the UK after travelling abroad to Brazil after a surge of virus infections across the region.
Source: The Independent, 18 August 2025
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