Don’t let Rift Valley Fever to catch you off-guard
According to the South African Weather Service Season Climate Watch for August to December 2021, South Africa’s rains are most likely going to be normal, or early and higher. Minimum and maximum temperatures are estimated to be above-normal across the country.
These conditions are perfect for some unwelcome guests – notably a boom in mosquito populations. Along with biting flies, mosquitoes are carriers of Rift Valley fever (RFV), a virus that can be deadly to animals and humans alike. South Africa has suffered three major RFV outbreaks since 1951.
Even though history suggests that the next major outbreak should only occur between 2030 and 2040, smaller sporadic outbreaks remain a real possibility. We should therefore be prepared and act proactively to control this zoonotic disease. The big question looming is: With the current weather predictions, are we possibly facing a RVF outbreak in 2021?
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) affects mainly sheep, cattle, and buffalo. RVF symptoms in sheep, cattle and goats include abortion storms (80% to 100% of pregnant animals can abort) and
sudden death in young animals.
The mortality rate in adult animals is between 10% and 20%, but many will endure symptoms such as a runny nose, fatigue, diarrhoea, and fever. Humans can contract the disease when they handle blood or organs from infected animals, or when they drink unpasteurized milk or eat undercooked meat. Symptoms can range from mild cold or flu symptoms to serious bleeding disorders and even death. As a precaution, people should only consume meat and milk from reputable sources and vendors and seek immediate medical attention should they suspect that they have contracted RVF.
Article originally appeared in the Vaalweekblad