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Location:News and Media | ADM IN PARTNERSHIP TO ERADICATE THE SPREAD OF RIFT VALLEY FEVER
ADM IN PARTNERSHIP TO ERADICATE THE SPREAD OF RIFT VALLEY FEVER
• Credits or Article Source: Gail Pullen • Posted on: 15 February 2011, Last updated on: 15 February 2011 • Search for: rift valley, fever, outbreak
The Amathole District Municipality
(ADM) recently had a confirmed case of Rift Valley Fever at Kei Mouth.
This is the only confirmed case thus far within the district. The ADM, in
partnership with the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, is
embarking on an awareness campaign at schools and to all surrounding
communities, towns, townships and villages to alert people to the dangers of
this communicable disease. (See attached schedule for the awareness and
vaccination campaign). The Department is also inoculating the livestock of
emerging farmers to prevent the spread of the disease. Rift Valley Fever
(RVF) is a notifiable disease and not a controlled disease. In
other words, if farmers or veterinarians suspect that there is RVF present,
they need to notify the State Veterinarian accordingly. Farmers are
encouraged to inoculate their livestock on an annual basis against RVF.
In a bid to eradicate the spread of this disease, farmers also have the option
of placing their herds under voluntary quarantine and the department will
assist with inoculations.
The disease is prevalent during very wet, rainy seasons, and
is usually noticed when pregnant cows, sheep, or goats start aborting their
foetuses. The disease is transmitted to animals by mosquitos, although
mosquitos don’t infect humans. However, the disease can be transmitted to
humans through the handling of the dead foetuses or contaminated
carcases. Foetuses should be buried deep or burned or both. It is
recommended that humans wear protective clothing such as gloves, goggles and
face masks when handling aborted foetuses or contaminated carcases.
Humans usually display flu-like systems when infected.
Please find attached a fact sheet of Rift Valley Fever as
compiled by the Veterinary Services of the Department of Rural Development and
Agrarian Reform which will provide more comprehensive information. Please
kindly communicate this information as far and as wide as possible so that we eradicate
the spread of this disease. Ends.
