What is Rift Valley Fever (RVF)?
Rift Valley Fever (RVF), is a zoonosis (a disease which primarily affects animals, but occasionally causes disease in humans). It may cause severe disease in both animals and humans leading to high morbidity and mortality. The death of RVF-infected livestock often leads to substantial economic losses. It is most common during years of heavy rainfall. 53 people died in Kenya in the last week after the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever, bringing the death toll to 148, as reported on Thursday by the Kenyan authorities. RVF is feared to have spread to Tanzania, after two people died from the virus in the northern region of Arusha. One person is believed to have died after contracting RVF at Gibasso Village in Tarime District, Mara Region recently. Many different species of mosquitoes are vectors for the RVF virus. There is, therefore, a potential for epizootics (epidemics amongst animals) and associated human epidemics following the introduction of the virus into a new area where these vectors
