Suspected Rift Valley fever outbreak in South Sudan: Media report
According to South Sudan news source, Radio Tamazuj, health authorities in Awerial County, Lakes State, confirmed a suspected outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Wunthou Boma.
“There were five suspects, in which two people passed on, and three patients were there,” a Awerial County Medical Officer said. “Two were referred to Bor and one was referred to Mingkaman health facilities for treatment. So, we are doing follow-up and monitoring the situation in the area.”
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak.
Rift Valley Fever is mosquito-borne virus that is endemic in parts of Africa. It primarily infects animals like sheep, cattle and goats and it can have an economic impact on a community due to the loss of livestock.
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Humans get infected through contact with infected animal blood or organs. Butchering and slaughtering of animals is a primary cause of transmission to humans. Certain occupations are at a higher risk of getting Rift Valley Fever like farmers, herders and veterinarians.
It can also be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and the bites of blood-sucking flies.
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Most cases of Rift Valley Fever are mild and symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle pain. However, a small percentage of people can get serious disease which includes retinitis, encephalitis and a hemorrhagic fever. Fatalities happen in less than 1 percent of those infected.