Rift Valley Fever Vigilance needed in the coming months

In early September 2012, a human case of RVF was reported in Mauritania. By 30 October 2012, a total of six regions had been affected with 34 human cases of RVF, including 17 deaths. Only the southern regions of Mauritania, those closest to the usual enzootic areas along the Senegal River, seem to have been involved in this event. Although no active cases in animals have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), analyses conducted by the National Veterinary Research Laboratory show serological evidence of ongoing virus circulation in several regions of the country, along with reports of abortions in sheep and camels.