Human Cases of Rift Valley Fever in South Africa, 2018

Petrus Jansen Van Vuren,Janusz T Paweska,Venessa Patharoo,Babsy Nyokong,Phumza Ohaebosim,Veerle Msimang,Joe Kgaladi

doi:10.1089/vbz.2018.2357

Petrus Jansen Van Vuren, Janusz T Paweska + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2018.2357

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Abstract

Major Rift Valley fever (RVF) epidemics in South Africa occur at irregular intervals, usually spanning several decades, with human cases rarely reported in the absence of widespread outbreaks in livestock. This report describes four cases of RVF in farm workers associated with an isolated outbreak on a sheep farm in the Free State Province of South Africa, in 2018. In contrast to the last major RVF epidemic in South Africa in 2010–2011, where detection of human cases served as an alert for an ongoing outbreak in livestock, the current isolated outbreak was first detected in livestock, and human cases recognized following subsequent epidemiological investigation. This highlights the importance of early recognition of livestock cases in reducing risk and impact of a subsequent RVF epidemic in humans. People working with animals should be aware of transmission routes and take precautions to minimize risk of infection.

Highlights

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne emerging disease in Africa, capable of causing large epidemics in livestock accompanied by cases in humans
Major Rift Valley fever (RVF) epidemics in South Africa occur at irregular intervals, usually spanning several decades, with human cases rarely reported in the absence of widespread outbreaks in livestock
In contrast to the last major RVF epidemic in South Africa in 2010– 2011, where detection of human cases served as an alert for an ongoing outbreak in livestock, the current isolated outbreak was first detected in livestock, and human cases recognized following subsequent epidemiological investigation

Summary

Introduction

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne emerging disease in Africa, capable of causing large epidemics in livestock accompanied by cases in humans. Major Rift Valley fever (RVF) epidemics in South Africa occur at irregular intervals, usually spanning several decades, with human cases rarely reported in the absence of widespread outbreaks in livestock.

Results

Conclusion