Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Archive Number 20080701.2012
Published Date 01-JUL-2008
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever - South Africa
RIFT VALLEY FEVER - SOUTH AFRICA
********************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Tue 1 Jul 2008
From: Lucille Blumberg <lucilleb@nicd.ac.za>
[In ProMED-mail post "Rift Valley fever, livestock - South Africa:
OIE 20080607.1813" it was observed that the absence of reports of
human cases is unusual given that a 2007 outbreak spread from Kenya
to Somalia and Tanzania, killing more than 100 people in each
country. The following communication supplies data on human cases.]
Update on human cases of Rift Valley Fever in South Africa 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------
From January 2008 to June 2008, Rift Valley fever (RVF) affecting
cattle, buffalo, and goats was confirmed in a number of localities in
4 provinces in South Africa -- Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng, and
Limpopo.
To date there have been 18 laboratory confirmed human cases
identified through serology for IgG and IgM using a recombinant ELISA
[enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay] technique performed on all
high-risk persons and/or RT-PCR [reverse transcriptase polymerase
chain reaction] on those with acute symptoms suggestive of RVF. All
18 persons had close and significant contact with infected animals or
their tissues.
These included a veterinary surgeon exposed during a
necropsy, 4 veterinary students and 2 technicians exposed during
necropsies, a veterinary student who examined an ill calf and 10 farm
workers who either handled infected animals or were involved in
slaughtering livestock.
All patients developed fever and myalgia,
encephalitis was noted in 2 of the patients, and 5 of 6 patients
tested demonstrated minor liver dysfunction. One patient remains ill
due to an underlying illness while all the others have recovered with
no sequelae.
--
Lucille Blumberg, Janusz Paweska, Jackie Weyer
Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FELTP) residents
Robert Swanepoel
Special Pathogens and Epidemiology Units
National Institute for Communicable Diseases,
No 1 Modderfontein Rd
Sandringham, Johannesburg
South Africa
lucilleb@nicd.ac.za
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,72990
Published Date 01-JUL-2008
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever - South Africa
RIFT VALLEY FEVER - SOUTH AFRICA
********************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Tue 1 Jul 2008
From: Lucille Blumberg <lucilleb@nicd.ac.za>
[In ProMED-mail post "Rift Valley fever, livestock - South Africa:
OIE 20080607.1813" it was observed that the absence of reports of
human cases is unusual given that a 2007 outbreak spread from Kenya
to Somalia and Tanzania, killing more than 100 people in each
country. The following communication supplies data on human cases.]
Update on human cases of Rift Valley Fever in South Africa 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------
From January 2008 to June 2008, Rift Valley fever (RVF) affecting
cattle, buffalo, and goats was confirmed in a number of localities in
4 provinces in South Africa -- Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng, and
Limpopo.
To date there have been 18 laboratory confirmed human cases
identified through serology for IgG and IgM using a recombinant ELISA
[enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay] technique performed on all
high-risk persons and/or RT-PCR [reverse transcriptase polymerase
chain reaction] on those with acute symptoms suggestive of RVF. All
18 persons had close and significant contact with infected animals or
their tissues.
These included a veterinary surgeon exposed during a
necropsy, 4 veterinary students and 2 technicians exposed during
necropsies, a veterinary student who examined an ill calf and 10 farm
workers who either handled infected animals or were involved in
slaughtering livestock.
All patients developed fever and myalgia,
encephalitis was noted in 2 of the patients, and 5 of 6 patients
tested demonstrated minor liver dysfunction. One patient remains ill
due to an underlying illness while all the others have recovered with
no sequelae.
--
Lucille Blumberg, Janusz Paweska, Jackie Weyer
Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FELTP) residents
Robert Swanepoel
Special Pathogens and Epidemiology Units
National Institute for Communicable Diseases,
No 1 Modderfontein Rd
Sandringham, Johannesburg
South Africa
lucilleb@nicd.ac.za
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,72990