Rift valley fever - A guide to causes and prevention

Traveling to affected regions or working with livestock? Don't underestimate this mosquito-borne virus. Understanding Rift Valley Fever is crucial for your safety. This guide delivers the essential facts you need to stay protected from a potentially severe illness.

What are the main causes of Rift Valley Fever?

• Rift Valley Fever is caused by a virus primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, such as the Aedes species.
• Direct or indirect contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals like cattle, sheep, and goats is another major route.
• Inhaling airborne droplets produced during the slaughter of infected animals can also lead to human infection, particularly for veterinarians and butchers.

Key symptoms of Rift Valley Fever to watch for

• Most human cases are mild, with flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, and a stiff neck after infection.
• Some patients may develop sensitivity to light, vomiting, and a loss of appetite, with symptoms lasting from four to seven days.
• In a small percentage of cases, the illness can progress to severe forms, including eye disease, encephalitis, or hemorrhagic fever with bleeding.

How can you prevent Rift Valley Fever effectively?

• Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and sleeping under treated mosquito nets in endemic areas.
• Practice safe animal husbandry by wearing protective gear like gloves and boots when handling sick animals or their tissues.
• Avoid consuming unpasteurized or uncooked milk and raw blood from potentially infected animals, as this can be a source of transmission.

>>> Discover more: Lassa Fever: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention Guide

Learn about rift valley fever through medical images

>>> Read more here: Malaria: Prevention, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

While most cases of Rift Valley Fever are mild, severe complications can occur. Awareness and preventive measures are your best defense. If you have traveled to an endemic area and feel ill, seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis.

>>> See more: Rat-Bite Fever: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention