Senegal has reported 17 deaths from Rift Valley Fever (RVF), according to a health ministry official on Thursday, marking a rare and serious outbreak of the viral disease in the West African nation. So far, 119 cases have been confirmed, primarily in northern Senegal’s livestock-producing areas. The outbreak is raising concerns about further spread, said Dr. Boly Diop, head of RVF surveillance at the health ministry. But what exactly is Rift Valley Fever, why is it spreading in Senegal, and can it infect humans?What Is Rift Valley Fever?Rift Valley Fever is a viral illness that mainly affects animals but can also infect humans. The disease can cause severe illness in both animals and people. According to the World Health Organization, the RVF virus is part of the Phlebovirus genus. It was first identified in 1931 during an investigation of a sheep epidemic in Kenya’s Rift Valley.Outbreaks have since been reported throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In 1977, a major outbreak struck Egypt after infected livestock were introduced through trade along the Nile irrigation system. Between 1997 and 1998, another significant outbreak affected Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania, following heavy rains and flooding linked to the El Niño phenomenon. In September 2000, infected livestock from the Horn of Africa carried the virus to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, marking the first known instance of Rift Valley Fever outside Africa and raising concerns about its potential spread to parts of Asia and Europe.Signs and Symptoms of Rift Valley FeverMany infections are asymptomatic, but uncomplicated human cases of RVF typically present like a short-term flu like illness. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, severe muscle and joint pain, light sensitivity, and loss of appetite. Occasionally, patients may experience a petechial rash, nausea, vomiting, or nosebleeds, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.How Is Rift Valley Fever Transmitted?As the WHO explains, Rift Valley Fever is primarily an animal disease but can also infect humans. It is spread by mosquitoes and blood-feeding flies. Most human infections occur through direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals. This can happen while handling animal tissue during slaughter, assisting with births, performing veterinary procedures, or disposing of carcasses or fetuses. Certain occupations, such as herders, farmers, slaughterhouse workers, and veterinarians, are therefore at higher risk. There is also evidence that humans can contract RVF from consuming unpasteurized or undercooked milk from infected animals.Infections may also result from bites by infected mosquitoes, particularly Aedes and Culex species, and transmission through blood-feeding flies is possible as well.Do We Have a Vaccine for Rift Valley Fever?Since most human cases are mild and short-lived, specific treatment is generally unnecessary. Severe cases are managed with early supportive care, including fluid management and treatment of individual symptoms, according to WHO guidance.An inactivated vaccine has been developed for humans but is not licensed or commercially available. It has been used experimentally to protect veterinary and laboratory staff at high risk of exposure. Additional candidate vaccines are currently under investigation.
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