Rift Valley Fever Outbreak
Rift Valley Fever Outbreak
A Rift Valley fever outbreak occurred in Mauritania in 1998. Seroepidemiologic and virologic investigation showed active circulation of the Rift Valley fever virus, with 13 strains isolated, and 16% (range 1.5%-38%) immunoglobulin (Ig) M-positivity in sera from 90 humans and 343 animals (sheep, goats, camels, cattle, and donkeys). One human case was fatal.
In 1998, a Rift Valley fever outbreak was identified in Aioun El Atrouss, Hodh El Gharbi Region, Mauritania. This viral anthropozoonosis is transmitted by mosquitoes; it causes abortion in animals and illness ranging from febrile syndrome to hemorrhagic fever and death in humans. In 1987, following dam construction on the Senegal River, a major epidemic, with 200 human deaths, occurred for the first time in Mauritania. Since then, several smaller outbreaks have been reported, and regular circulation of the virus among cattle has been documented. We report laboratory and field investigations among animals and humans during the 1998 outbreak.
A Rift Valley fever outbreak occurred in Mauritania in 1998. Seroepidemiologic and virologic investigation showed active circulation of the Rift Valley fever virus, with 13 strains isolated, and 16% (range 1.5%-38%) immunoglobulin (Ig) M-positivity in sera from 90 humans and 343 animals (sheep, goats, camels, cattle, and donkeys). One human case was fatal.
In 1998, a Rift Valley fever outbreak was identified in Aioun El Atrouss, Hodh El Gharbi Region, Mauritania. This viral anthropozoonosis is transmitted by mosquitoes; it causes abortion in animals and illness ranging from febrile syndrome to hemorrhagic fever and death in humans. In 1987, following dam construction on the Senegal River, a major epidemic, with 200 human deaths, occurred for the first time in Mauritania. Since then, several smaller outbreaks have been reported, and regular circulation of the virus among cattle has been documented. We report laboratory and field investigations among animals and humans during the 1998 outbreak.
