What is Rift Valley Fever (RVF) ?

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) affecting Mauritania and Senegal in Western Africa.

Why in news ? Officials in the West African country of The Gambia report the first human case of Rift Valley fever (RVF).

About Rift Valley Fever:

• It is caused by a Phlebovirus belonging to the Phenuiviridae family.
• It primarily affects animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, and camels.
• Humans become infected through close contact with infected animals or by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

The virus has not been shown to spread from person to person.

Transmission: Multiple mosquito species can transmit the Rift Valley fever virus, and the predominant vector differs from one region to another.

Origin and History of Rift Valley Fever:

• It derives its name from Kenya’s Rift Valley, where the disease was first recognised in the early 1930s.
• Since then, the infection has appeared across sub-Saharan Africa.

In 1977, it spread northwards to Egypt, and by 2000, it had crossed the Red Sea into Saudi Arabia and Yemen, marking its first confirmed appearance outside the African continent.

Symptoms of Rift Valley Fever:

• In about 90 % of cases, RVF presents as a mild, flu-like illness that begins two to six days after infection.
• The onset is marked by high fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, weakness, and backache, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.
• In a small proportion of patients, disease progresses to a severe form affecting the eyes, brain, or liver.
• Treatment: Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment. Medical care is primarily supportive.