HIGHLIGHTS
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral disease generally found in sub-Saharan Africa where sheep and cattle are raised. The virus has also occurred in Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Africa. RVF virus primarily affects livestock and can cause disease in a large number of domestic animals. The virus is usually transmitted by infected mosquitoes and possibly other biting insects. However, RVF virus is occasionally spread to humans through contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals.
Since January 2008 RVF has been reported in both animals and humans in more than 20 out of the 119 districts of Madagascar, primarily in the north, south and central highlands.
By 29 June 2008 the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Madagascar reported a total of 520 human-suspected cases related to RVF, including 20 deaths (CFR 4%). Infection with Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) has been laboratory confirmed in 84 human cases by the Institut Pasteur of Madagascar ? WHO's partner in the area of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers.
SITUATION
RVF could potentially bear devastating effects on human health. Malagasy population already suffers from other endemic diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis and there is a risk that RVF may develop as encephalitis or hemorrhagic fever. Since a limited number of cases in rural areas is usually reported to health authorities or tested, the real incidence of human infection of RVF in Madagascar should be considered higher than the official reported numbers in all the 22 regions of the country. RVF fatal rate is usually low (1%) and cases are frequently considered to be occurrences of malaria. During recent investigations, experts did not exclude a possibility of hundreds of human infections if appropriate preventive measures have not been vigorously maintained.
Full report here: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/LSGZ-7GJJ44?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=EP-2008-000106-MDG
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral disease generally found in sub-Saharan Africa where sheep and cattle are raised. The virus has also occurred in Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Africa. RVF virus primarily affects livestock and can cause disease in a large number of domestic animals. The virus is usually transmitted by infected mosquitoes and possibly other biting insects. However, RVF virus is occasionally spread to humans through contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals.
Since January 2008 RVF has been reported in both animals and humans in more than 20 out of the 119 districts of Madagascar, primarily in the north, south and central highlands.
By 29 June 2008 the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Madagascar reported a total of 520 human-suspected cases related to RVF, including 20 deaths (CFR 4%). Infection with Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) has been laboratory confirmed in 84 human cases by the Institut Pasteur of Madagascar ? WHO's partner in the area of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers.
SITUATION
RVF could potentially bear devastating effects on human health. Malagasy population already suffers from other endemic diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis and there is a risk that RVF may develop as encephalitis or hemorrhagic fever. Since a limited number of cases in rural areas is usually reported to health authorities or tested, the real incidence of human infection of RVF in Madagascar should be considered higher than the official reported numbers in all the 22 regions of the country. RVF fatal rate is usually low (1%) and cases are frequently considered to be occurrences of malaria. During recent investigations, experts did not exclude a possibility of hundreds of human infections if appropriate preventive measures have not been vigorously maintained.
Full report here: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/LSGZ-7GJJ44?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=EP-2008-000106-MDG