Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonotic disease that primarily affects animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and camels but can also infect humans. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe illness and death in people. It was first identified in Kenya in 1931 and outbreaks have since occurred in other parts of Africa as well as Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Prevention focuses on vaccination of animals and controlling mosquito vectors through public health education. RVF is considered an important zoonotic disease worldwide due to its potential to spread to new areas through animal and human movement and its ability to cause severe illness and death in people.
8. Occurrence Locality Year Great rift valley, Kenya 1931 South Africa 1950-1951, 1953, 1956, 1969 South Africa 1975 Egypt 1977-1978 Egypt 1993 Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania 1997-1998 Saudi Arabia, Yemen 2000-2001 Egypt 2003 Kenya and Somalia 2007 Sudan 2007-2008 South Africa 2010
12. Clinical Picture In Humans Haemorrhagic fever form Meningeo-encephalitis form Ocular form <1% of patients <1% of patients 0.5-2% of patients Lesions 2-4 days after mild symptoms Lesions 1-4 weeks after mild symptoms Lesions 1-3 weeks after mild symptoms Symptoms Symptoms Symptoms Death within 3-6 days of symptoms Death late is low Death uncommon
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15. What are the reasons of considering RVF an important zoonotic disease world wide? [email_address]
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Notas del editor
The first outbreak in Egypt was in 1977-1978 following the construction of the High Dam which was followed by flooding and overflowing of riverbanks after heavy rain. The source of the virus was thought to be imported Camels from Sudan. During this outbreak, 18000 human cases and 600 deaths were reported.
