Rift Valley Fever Virus
How do people become infected with Rift Valley fever virus?
While there is no known person-to-person transmission of Rift Valley fever, personnel can become infected with RVF by handling infected animals or by the bite of an infected mosquito. RVF virus is transmitted by contact with the blood, body fluids, and tissue of infected animals; this places herdsmen, slaughter-house workers, and veterinarians at risk for animal-transmitted RVF. Rift Valley fever virus is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa, especially eastern and southern Africa.
Even if personnel avoid contact with animals, the disease can also be transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Adult female mosquitoes, most commonly those belonging to the genus Aedes, become infected by feeding on sick animals, and can pass the disease to humans by biting them. The disease also passes from a female mosquito to her offspring, resulting in large numbers of infected mosquitoes in a short period of time. Because mosquitoes need water to hatch and grow to adulthood, mosquito transmission of RVF virus also increases after heavy rains and flooding.
RVF virus transmission: Humans become infected through mosquito bites and through
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What are the symptoms of Rift Valley fever virus?
People with RVF infections typically have a flu-like illness with fever, weakness, back pain, dizziness, and weight loss. Infected people usually get better in two days to one week after the start of the illness. However, the infection can sometimes cause hemorrhaging (severe bleeding), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or permanent vision loss.
Is there treatment for a Rift Valley fever virus infection?
Seek medical attention if you experience the symptoms described above and have traveled to or in an area where RVF virus occurs. There is no specific vaccine, treatment, or medication for RVF. However, the symptoms and complications of the disease can be treated. Most people who get this illness recover from it. In more severe cases, individuals require professional medical help where treatment may include intravenous fluids, help with breathing, and nursing care.
What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with Rift Valley fever virus?
The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself from mosquito bites by using the DoD Insect Repellent System. It incorporates repellent treated uniform, DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 repellent on exposed skin, a properly worn uniform, and sleeping inside a permethrin-treated bed net, when necessary.
Another important preventive measure is to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Do not allow water to accumulate in containers. Outdoors, mosquitoes breed in man-made containers like discarded tires, flowerpots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. Indoors, look for standing water, such as flower vases or lucky bamboo. Water containers should be emptied at least once a week to prevent mosquito development. Stay in air-conditioned areas or make sure your door and window screens do not have holes. Minimize time outdoors around dawn and dusk, which are the peak biting times for the Aedes spp. mosquitoes that can transmit RVF.
Select the image for more information on the DoD Insect Repellent System.
