According to Kenya's Ministry of Health, an outbreak of Rift Valley fever continues in the country's northwestern counties, Rospotrebnadzor reports. As of June 19, 2018, there were more than 100 cases in six counties (the exact number is not reported), and the number The number of registered deaths has reached 13.
The Rift Valley fever virus was detected in blood samples from the first patients tested at the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Nairobi.
"The outbreak is linked to the effects of heavy rains and floods, which created favorable conditions for the spread of mosquitoes, the main vector of the virus. In all counties where human cases have occurred, widespread cases of Rift Valley fever have been recorded in sheep and camels. Experts believe the human outbreak is linked to the consumption of infected meat and milk, as well as direct contact with sick animals in slaughterhouses," the agency notes.
In counties affected by the outbreak, a ban on domestic slaughter of livestock has been imposed and all animal markets have been closed.
Since June 14, the Ministry of Health has been operating an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the country, overseeing several interagency response teams to provide assistance in the most affected areas. Massive mosquito control measures are underway. The government acknowledges that the outbreak response is hampered by a shortage of vaccines, medications, relevant equipment, and qualified personnel.
Rospotrebnadzor asks to take this information into account when planning trips.
For reference:
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a dangerous hemorrhagic viral infection that primarily affects animals. Most human infections occur through contact with the blood or organs of infected animals. Humans can also become infected through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
To date, there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission of Rift Valley fever. The incubation period ranges from two to six days.
Source: trn-news.ru