Rift Valley Fever: Are You at Risk?

Headlines were splattered with frightening health news from across the Atlantic during the first week of 2007. Nearly 100 deaths were reported from Kenya due to Rift Valley Fever and at least 183 more people were infected with the disease. At its worst, this disease, in its hemorrhagic form, represents perhaps one of the more frightening scourges afflicting the world today.

Humans become infected with Rift Valley Fever by coming into contact with infected mosquitoes who carry the disease. The disease can also be passed from animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels to humans when they come into contact with infected milk, blood or other bodily fluids. The symptoms, which usually last less than one week, include headaches, fever, stiff neck, vomiting and discomfort when exposed to light.

However, for about 1% of those infected, the symptoms and prognosis are far worse. This 1% of patients will reach Rift Valley Fever's hemorrhagic stage and 50% of these patients will die. For an example of what this is like, think of the more famous bloody manifestation of Ebola, and you'll get an idea of the fright and pain of what it's like to reach Rift Valley Fever's hemorrhagic stage.

Officials in Kenya employ several means to control the 2006-2007 outbreak. Mosquito nets are distributed to prevent people from being bitten by infected mosquitoes. Other community action to mitigate transmission risks during animal husbandry and slaughter are also employed. The United Stated donated 400,000 vials of animal vaccines to prevent animals from contracting the disease in the first place and, in turn, infecting more people.

So you may be wondering if you are at risk for contracting Rift Valley Fever at some point even though the current outbreak is occurring in Kenya. After all, we do have mosquitoes, cattle, sheep, etc. on this side of the Atlantic. Well, here are a few facts that will help to ease your mind. Rift Valley Fever mainly exists in countries of sub-Saharan Africa and in Madagascar and most often infects people who live in areas eastern and southern Africa where sheep and cattle are raised. So unless you are importing sheep or cattle from Africa, you can probably rest easy.

However, it should be noted with caution that nothing is 100% certain. Diseases are known to migrate. In fact, cases of Rift Valley Fever were reported outside of Africa, in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, for the first time in September 2000. Even so, you may only need to worry about contracting this disease should you travel in those areas of Africa where Rift Valley Fever is endemic.

So, for the international travelers among us and just for general knowledge here are the symptoms of Rift Valley Fever according to the Centers for Disease Control. People with Rift often either have no symptoms or experience a mild illness with fever, generalized weakness, back pain, dizziness, extreme weight loss and, ultimately, liver abnormalities. About 1% of all patients progress to a hemorrhagic form of the fever, and some suffer encephalitis or ocular disease. Recovery time for the non-hemorrhagic form of the disease is usually one week or less.