Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis posing a public health threat to humans in Africa. During sporadic RVF outbreaks in 2008-2009 and widespread epidemics in 2010-2011, 302 laboratory-confirmed human infections, including 25 deaths (case-fatality rate, 8%) were identified. Incidence peaked in late summer to early autumn each year, which coincided with incidence rate patterns in livestock. Most case-patients were adults (median age 43 years), men (262; 87%), who worked in farming, animal health or meat-related industries (83%). Most case-patients reported direct contact with animal tissues, blood, or other body fluids before onset of illness (89%); mosquitoes likely played a limited role in transmission of disease to humans. Close partnership with animal health and agriculture sectors allowed early recognition of human cases and appropriate preventive health messaging.
Highlights
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Most case-patients reported direct contact with animal tissues, blood, or other body fluids before onset of illness (89%); mosquitoes likely played a limited role in transmission of disease to humans
We considered all persons with a completed laboratory investigation for Rift Valley fever (RVF) in South Africa from 2008 to 2011 and focused subanalyses on confirmed cases only
Summary
Of 254 case-patients who reported a history of direct contact with animals, 169 (67%) provided comments that allowed further categorization of animal-related exposures before onset of illness. Of the 169 case-patients who provided additional comments, 136 (80%) reported physical contact with animal carcasses, either during the disposal of animals that died of RVF or during other procedures. Slaughtering of livestock or game animals was documented in 70 (41%) cases, and included reports of animal slaughter on farms (n = 35), in commercial abattoirs (n = 26), while hunting (n = 4), and in unspecified locations (n = 5). The performance of necropsies on animals was documented in 32 (19%) cases, including 26 instances in which necropsies were performed by animal health professionals, and 6 instances in which necropsies were undertaken by animal farmers or animal farm workers. Eighteen (11%) case-patients reported vaccinating livestock against RVF; of these, 2 case-patients reported needle-stick injuries while administering vaccine
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