sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
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<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Notice SubHeader" -->Update on Rift Valley Fever in Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania <!-- InstanceEndEditable -->
This information is current as of today, May 4, 2007, 02:26:18 PM<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript"><!-- var calendarDate = getCalendarDate(); var clockTime = getClockTime(); document.write(calendarDate); document.write(', '); document.write(clockTime); //--></script> <!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Notice Release/Update date" -->Updated: May 3 and February 16, 2007
Released: December 29, 2006<!-- InstanceEndEditable -->
<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Notice Content" --> According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an outbreak of Rift Valley fever has occurred in several countries in East Africa.
The involved areas of Kenya are primarily the North Eastern, Coast, Eastern, Central, and Rift Valley Provinces. Although the outbreak in Kenya seems to be declining, the Kenyan Ministry of Health is continuing its efforts to contain the outbreak and conduct active surveillance. Investigation and response efforts were assisted by several international organizations and agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Somalia is also experiencing an outbreak and efforts are under way for surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and control of the spread of the outbreak.
Cases of Rift Valley fever have been reported in areas of Tanzania. The Tanzanian Ministry of Health has been working with the WHO and the United Nations Emergency Coordination Group to increase public awareness about the outbreak and preventive measures in response to a seeming increase in human cases in March.
Recommendations for U.S. Travelers
Generally, the risk of Rift Valley fever infection is low for travelers, unless they are in areas where an outbreak is occurring and are bitten by infected insects or come in contact with body fluids and aerosols from infected animals (primarily livestock).
No preventive medications or licensed vaccines are available for Rift Valley fever, but travelers to affected areas can take the following steps to reduce their risk of infection:
Rift Valley fever is a viral disease which periodically occurs in sub-Saharan Africa where sheep and cattle are raised, but the virus has also occurred in Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, and Madagascar. Rift Valley fever virus primarily affects livestock and can cause disease in a large number of domestic animals. Although the virus is usually transmitted by infected mosquitoes and possibly other biting insects that have virus-contaminated mouth parts, Rift Valley fever virus is occasionally transmitted to humans through contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals (e.g., exposure through veterinary or obstetric procedures or direct exposure during slaughter).
For additional information, see Rift Valley Fever (CDC Special Pathogens Branch).
For more information about the current outbreak situation, see:
<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Notice SubHeader" -->Update on Rift Valley Fever in Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania <!-- InstanceEndEditable -->
This information is current as of today, May 4, 2007, 02:26:18 PM<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript"><!-- var calendarDate = getCalendarDate(); var clockTime = getClockTime(); document.write(calendarDate); document.write(', '); document.write(clockTime); //--></script> <!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Notice Release/Update date" -->Updated: May 3 and February 16, 2007
Released: December 29, 2006<!-- InstanceEndEditable -->
<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Notice Content" --> According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an outbreak of Rift Valley fever has occurred in several countries in East Africa.
The involved areas of Kenya are primarily the North Eastern, Coast, Eastern, Central, and Rift Valley Provinces. Although the outbreak in Kenya seems to be declining, the Kenyan Ministry of Health is continuing its efforts to contain the outbreak and conduct active surveillance. Investigation and response efforts were assisted by several international organizations and agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Somalia is also experiencing an outbreak and efforts are under way for surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and control of the spread of the outbreak.
Cases of Rift Valley fever have been reported in areas of Tanzania. The Tanzanian Ministry of Health has been working with the WHO and the United Nations Emergency Coordination Group to increase public awareness about the outbreak and preventive measures in response to a seeming increase in human cases in March.
Recommendations for U.S. Travelers
Generally, the risk of Rift Valley fever infection is low for travelers, unless they are in areas where an outbreak is occurring and are bitten by infected insects or come in contact with body fluids and aerosols from infected animals (primarily livestock).
No preventive medications or licensed vaccines are available for Rift Valley fever, but travelers to affected areas can take the following steps to reduce their risk of infection:
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin surfaces when outdoors, particularly during the day.
- Repellents containing 30% to 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are recommended. Lower concentrations of DEET offer shorter-term protection and require more frequent reapplication.
- Repellents containing picaridin are available in the U.S. in formulations of up to 15% concentration, which require frequent reapplication. Repellents with higher concentrations of picaridin may be available in some regions outside the U.S.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
- Clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for greater protection.
- Where possible, stay in hotels or resorts that are well screened or air-conditioned and take measures to reduce and exclude mosquitoes. Use of bed nets is recommended if mosquito-proof accommodations are not available.
- If illness develops, stay under a mosquito net or indoors to limit mosquito bites and to avoid further spread of infection.
- Travelers should avoid contact with livestock in areas where outbreaks are occurring.
Rift Valley fever is a viral disease which periodically occurs in sub-Saharan Africa where sheep and cattle are raised, but the virus has also occurred in Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, and Madagascar. Rift Valley fever virus primarily affects livestock and can cause disease in a large number of domestic animals. Although the virus is usually transmitted by infected mosquitoes and possibly other biting insects that have virus-contaminated mouth parts, Rift Valley fever virus is occasionally transmitted to humans through contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals (e.g., exposure through veterinary or obstetric procedures or direct exposure during slaughter).
For additional information, see Rift Valley Fever (CDC Special Pathogens Branch).
For more information about the current outbreak situation, see:
- Rift Valley Fever Outbreak -- Kenya, November 2006?January 2007. (CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, February 2, 2007)
- Rift Valley Fever in the United Republic of Tanzania?March 23, 2007 (WHO)
- Rift Valley Fever in Kenya and Somalia?Update 3, Jan. 31, 2007 (WHO)