Deadly ‘Sloth fever’ has spread to Europe at ‘unstoppable’ rate leaving two dead

Some 19 cases have been reported in Europe so far (Picture: Getty Images)

An ‘unstoppable outbreak’ of ‘Sloth fever’ has hit Europe after killing patients in Brazil.

A woman, 26, and a 45-year-old man who had both visited Cuba went to hospital in Italy with symptoms of Oropouche The Lancet reports.

The woman reported suffering from fever and diarrhoea after travelling to Cuba’s Ciego de Avilla province, returning to Verona on May 26.

The man also experienced symptoms visiting Havana and Santiago de Cuba before seeking medical attention in Fori, northern Italy on June 7.

Dr Danny Altmann, Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, told The Telegraph: ‘We should definitely be worried. Things are changing and may become unstoppable.’

The virus originates in sloths and has been spread by midges, with 12 cases reported in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany.

Severe cases of the disease lead to neurological disorders such as encephalitis and meningitis.

Other symptoms include headaches, high temperature, muscle soreness, joint stiffness, nausea, vomiting, colds or photophobia.

Pregnant women may suffer miscarriages or developmental issues and deformities in the foetus.

Two young women died after contracting the virus in Brazil, becoming the first reported fatalities.

The victims, aged 21 and 24, suffered intense abdominal pain, bleeding, and hypotension.

They died on July 25.

There is currently no vaccine to treat the virus, whichcomes from the same family of diseases as zika virus and Dengue Fever.

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