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Rift Valley fever

Rift Valley fever virus, TEM. © Science Photo Library

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute viral disease that affects domestic animals. Humans may become infected through direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals. While most human cases are relatively mild, a small percentage of patients develop a much more severe form of the disease. The uncomplicated cases are characterised by acute influenza-like illness leading to full recovery. In some patients the illness can progress to a severe form with haemorrhagic manifestations and hepatitis.

Read more about Rift Valley fever

Facts

Rift Valley fever is an acute viral febrile haemorrhagic disease that affects primarily ruminants in Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula. Humans may become infected by mosquito bites and through contact with the blood or organs of infected animals.

Prevention and control

Vaccination of ruminants is the favoured method of preventing human disease. The inactivated RVF vaccine provides a lower level of protection. Other measures are a ban on slaughtering ruminants and avoiding mosquito bites.

Latest outputs

Publication

Communicable Disease Threats Report, 21–27 April 2019, week 17

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Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 March 2019, week 12

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Communicable disease threats report, 10-16 March 2019, Week 11

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Communicable disease threats report, 3-9 March 2019, week 10

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Disease networks

Emerging Viral Diseases-Expert Laboratory Network (EVD-LabNet)

European network for medical and veterinary entomology (VectorNet)