Why in the news?

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) affecting Mauritania and Senegal in Western Africa.

Rift Valley Fever

  • What is it?: Rift Valley Fever is a zoonotic viral disease primarily affecting domestic livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels) and occasionally humans.
  • Cause: Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV)
  • Transmission
    • Animal-to-Animal: Spread mainly by mosquito bites (Aedes, Culex species).
    • Animal-to-human:
      • Direct contact with infected animal blood, tissues, or fluids (during slaughtering, veterinary procedures).
      • Bites from infected mosquitoes.
  • Symptoms
    • Animals: High mortality in young livestock and abortions in pregnant animals (up to 100%).
    • Humans: 
      • Mild Form: Fever, muscle pain, weakness, headache.
      • Severe Forms: Ocular disease (retinitis → vision loss), Meningoencephalitis (neurological symptoms) and Hemorrhagic fever (bleeding disorders, liver damage).
  • Diagnosis
    • Laboratory Tests: RT-PCR, ELISA, virus isolation from blood or tissues.