more than 21 people have sloth fever what to know about the deadly virus more than 21 us residents have contracted sloth fever a deadly insect born virus after returning from Cuba US Health officials warn Travelers about sloth fever also known as oropo virus which has spread in South America and the Caribbean oropo virus first identified in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955 is spread by midges and mosquitoes and affects rodents and monkeys symptoms of sloth fever include fever chills headaches muscle pain vomiting diarrhea and eye redness pregnant women are at risk with cases of motherto fetus transmission leading to fetal death and congenital malformations like micral the CDC advises pregnant travelers to avoid regions with outbreaks and take precautions against insect bites to prevent infection in the US 20 cases were reported in Florida and one in New York with symptoms including fever muscle pain headache