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Rift valley fever is a fever causing disease
affecting the livestock and humans in Africa.
The disease is most common during heavy rainfall. The mode of
transmission is through an infected mosquito (Aedes mosquitoes)
and other bloodsucking insects. The disease is named after a trough
stretching 4,000 miles from Jordan through eastern Africa to Mozambique.
The virus is in its inactive state within the eggs
of an Aedes mosquito. The eggs of the Aedes mosquito hatches numerous
amount of infected mosquito that feed on livestock causing the spread of
the virus. This occurs during
heavy rains and floods. The occurrence of the disease in a large number of
domestic animals is referred to as an “Epizootic”; its presence can
lead to an epidemic in humans.
The disease can only be diagnosed through a series
of laboratory tests. The treatment (Ribavirin drug) is still under studies
for its efficacy against the Rift valley fever virus. There is still no
available licensed vaccine or virus-killing medicine available for human
use.
Mode of transmitting the disease:
1.
Exposures
to the blood or other body fluids of an infected animal during
slaughtering or handling of infected animals or even during food
preparation.
2.
Laboratory
workers become infected through airborne transmission while working on
virus cultures or laboratory samples infected with the virus.
3.
People
who sleeps outdoors without protection at night in areas where the
epidemic occurs.
Signs and Symptoms to watch in Rift valley
fever:
1.
Flu-like
illness with fever
2.
Infected
people usually get better in 2 days to a week after the onset of the
illness.
3.
Sometimes
the virus can cause severe bleeding (hemorrhage), inflammation of the
brain (encephalitis), or severe eye complication.
Complications can occur if left untreated:
1.
Inflammation
of the Retina (a structure connecting the nerves of the eye to the brain),
Approximately 1% to 10% of affected persons might suffer from vision
problems or partial blindness.
2.
May
lead to death. About 1% of the infected person die of the disease. Those
who are malnourished, suffering with other diseases or far from medical
care usually are the one leading to death.
Ways on the Prevention of Rift Valley Fever
Virus:
1.
Travelers
to Africa are required to wear long sleeves or pants.
2.
Using
insect repellents or bed nets are advised to protect from mosquitoes and
other blood-sucking insects.
3.
Special
precautions for those working with animals in areas where the virus is
present by avoiding
exposure to the blood or tissues of potentially infected animals.
By: YaHind Research Team
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