The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s Veterinary Service is appealing to all farmers to vaccinate their livestock before the rainy season starts. Early this year the department experienced an outbreak of the Rift Valley Fever where two human cases were confirmed in the Calvinia area. A farmer and a farm worker tested positive for the disease after handling a sick animal.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis that primarily affects animals but also has the capacity to infect humans, leading to high rate of diseases and death. Vaccination of livestock against the disease remains the primary prevention measure as there is no treatment for Rift Valley Fever.
The department reiterates its call to farmers and farm workers to use protective clothing such as gloves, mask and goggles at all times when handling sick and dead animals. Communities are also encouraged not to slaughter or eat meat from sick or dead animals. END
Issued by: Directorate Communication
Source: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
Enquiries: Phemelo Manankong
Tel: 053 839 7881
Cell: 071 8895 112
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Editors Notes
FACTS ABOUT RVF
- RVF is mosquito borne viral disease primarily affecting livestock but can also Infect humans.
- No human-to-human transmission of RVF has been documented
- Several different species of mosquito are able to act as vectors for transmission of the RVF virus.
- Currently there no treatment for both human and livestock
- RVF outbreak can be triggered during heavy rains and floods,
- Eggs hatch large numbers of infected mosquitoes that transmit the virus to livestock.
RVF RISK FACTORS
- Exposure to infected mosquitos, especially when sleeping outdoors in areas where the outbreak occurs
- Occupational contact with livestock e.g herdsmen, abattoir workers, veterinarians, farmers
- Handling tissues/meat of RVF infected animals e.g. home slaughtering.
- Unvaccinated livestock
CLINICAL SIGNS ( Sheep, Goats & Cattle)
- Abortions in livestock especially sheep
- Deaths of livestock especially young animals
PREVENTION ( Sheep, Goats & Cattle).
- Vaccinate your livestock against RVF
- Apply livestock insect repellents weekly during the outbreak period
- Report livestock mortalities and abortions to your local State or Private Veterinarian
- Avoid to keep your livestock in low lying areas
CLINICAL SIGNS (Humans)
Mild form of RVF in humans
- No detectable symptoms
- Flu-like fever, muscle pain, joint pain and headache.
- Neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, loss of appetite and vomiting.
Severe form of RVF in humans
- Ocular form: blurred or decreased vision.
- Meningoencephalitis form: Headache, loss of memory, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, vertigo, convulsions, lethargy and coma.
- Haemorrhagic fever form:. vomiting blood, passing blood in the faeces, a purpuric rash or ecchymoses (caused by bleeding in the skin), bleeding from the nose or gums.
If you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms please visit your nearest clinic/hospital
PREVENTION ( Humans)
- Use protective clothing (gloves, face masks) when handling dead animals or aborted foetuses
- Avoid mosquito bites( mosquito repellents, nets, electric fans etc)
- Do not slaughter sick animals during RFV outbreak
- Do not EAT meat from animals that have died of ANY sickness