Rift Valley fever outbreak reported in Central Africa Republic
By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
Two weeks ago, officials with the Institut Pasteur of Bangui (IPB), Central Africa Republic reported a confirmed case of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Bossembélé health district, Boali sub-prefecture.
Image/Marcos Elias de Oliveira Júnior (public domain)
The case-patient is a 45-year-old male farmer from Bogoin village who presented to the local health facility with fever, chills, headache, nausea, asthenia, myalgia, arthralgia and retro-ocular pain.
Laboratory analysis confirmed RVF.
Outbreak investigations carried out by the rapid response team identified seven additional suspected RVF cases from the same health district, five through records review in the local health facility and two by active case search in the affected community.
A total of 12 blood specimens (five from suspected cases and seven from healthy control cases) were collected and are being analysed at the IPB; the test results are pending.
Additionally, animal health investigations carried out in the affected community reportedly identified sick domestic animals (mainly cows and sheep), manifesting symptoms such as runny nose, cough and diarrhea.
A total of 21 blood specimens were collected from the sick animals (cows and small ruminants) and
taken for laboratory analysis and the test results are pending.
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an illness that is primarily spread by direct contact with blood, fluids, or tissues of infected animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels. Less commonly, it can also be spread through mosquito bites.
Most people with RVF do not feel sick or have only mild illness. Symptoms of RVF include fever, weakness, back pain, dizziness, and weight loss. However, a small percentage (8%–10%) of people may have more serious illness, such as severe bleeding, swelling of the brain, or eye disease. Approximately 1% of people who get RVF die from the disease.
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