News
23 April 2007
Rift Valley fever in Tanzania
Tanzania
Following the reports of outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Kenya and Somalia [1], the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of RVF in Tanzania on 23 March 2007. The first human cases were registered in mid-February with a second cluster of cases recorded in mid-March. As of 23 March 2007, a total of 126 suspected cases were reported including 18 deaths from the regions of Arusha, Dodoma, Mangara, Morogoro and Tanga [2]. WHO is assisting the WHO Tanzania office in assessing the outbreak and refining the emergency response plan. Recent media reports indicate that the outbreak is still ongoing [3].
Rift Valley Fever
RVF is caused by a virus of the family Bunyaviridae. It is primarily a zoonosis affecting domestic animals including cattle, goats, and sheep, and may cause substantial morbidity and mortality in the animals. The virus can be transmitted to humans following a bite from an infected mosquito (most commonly Aedes spp and Culex spp mosquitoes), or contact with body fluids or organs from an infected animal.
The majority of cases of RVF are brief influenza-like illnesses; about 1% of patients will, however, develop more severe manifestations of meningoencephalitis or haemorrhagic fever.
Advice for travellers
Vigilant insect bite avoidance measures should be taken to avoid exposure to the mosquito vector. Those who may have contact with infected animals should ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent exposure to their blood and body fluids. There is no commercially available vaccine for humans.
References
1. NaTHNaC. Rift Valley fever in Kenya and Somalia – update 1, 1 February 2007. [Accessed 17 April 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/travel/news/rvf_010207.htm
2. World Health Organization. Rift Valley Fever in the United Republic of Tanzania, 23 March 2007. [Accessed 17 April 2007]. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_03_23/en/index.html
3. ProMED Mail. Rift Valley fever, Eastern Africa (28): Tanzania. 22 April 2007. [Accessed 23 April 2007]. Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:1295403
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