Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook Instagram Threads
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Subscribe
    • Featured News
    • Funding
    • Directory
    • Jobs
    • Events
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Biosurveillance

    Better Surveillance Needed Against Rift Valley Fever Outbreaks

    By Global Biodefense StaffNovember 29, 2016
    Share
    Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email
    Researchers have developed Rift Valley fever risk zone maps. This map shows risk distribution in districts of central and southern Kenya (Map by Mosomtai)
    Researchers have developed Rift Valley fever risk zone maps. This map shows risk distribution in districts of central and southern Kenya (Map by Mosomtai)

    Research on the mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever in east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula shows that current surveillance systems are unable to detect the virus in livestock before it spreads to humans. A coherent policy is needed to combat the viral disease, which has the potential to spread to previously unaffected areas, according to studies at Umeå University.

    Researchers found that knowledge, attitudes and practices around Rift Valley fever (RVF) varied in local communities in affected countries. There were also no existing connections between many affected areas and authorities that could have limited the impact of RVF outbreaks.

    “To confront Rift Valley fever outbreaks we need a policy that better incorporates the local communities, ecological factors and human interactions with livestock and the environment,” says Osama Ahmed Hassan, doctoral student at the Umeå University Department of Clinical Microbiology, Unit of Virology and the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Unit of Epidemiology and Global Health.

    RVF is a viral infection that spreads by mosquitoes and causes mass abortions and death in livestock. The RVF virus can also cause a potentially deadly haemorrhagic fever in humans, for which there are no available treatments or vaccines.

    Osama Ahmed Hassan and his research colleagues at Umeå University found that the ecology of the affected countries in east Africa is conducive for mosquitoes, livestock and human interaction. The researchers at Umeå University and International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya, have developed RVF risk maps on a sub-regional scale that can be used in efforts to manage future RVF outbreaks.

    Frequent outbreaks of Rift Valley fever occur in Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula. At the moment there is an ongoing outbreak in West Africa. There have also been imported Rift Valley fever cases reported in Europe and China, which points to the threat and likelihood of a global expansion of the mosquito-borne viral disease.

    “Our research shows that the best way to combat Rift Valley fever outbreaks is with the so called ‘One Health’ approach. By this we mean strategies to combat the disease that incorporates knowledge about RVF virus in environment, animals and local communities and also consider socio-cultural and behavioral differences between communities,” says Osama Ahmed Hassan.

    “Our research shows that the best way to combat Rift Valley fever outbreaks is with the so called “One Health” approach. By this we mean strategies to combat the disease that incorporate knowledge about RVF virus in environment, animals and local communities and also consider socio-cultural and behavioral differences between communities,” says Osama Ahmed Hassan.

    Read more: Rift Valley fever: challenges and new insights for prevention and control using the “One Health” approach.

    Mosquito-Borne Rift Valley Fever
    Share. Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleCracking the Code of Deadly Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis
    Next Article RFI – Supporting Development of Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases

    Related Stories

    New Method Improves Quantification of Ricin in Complex Matrices

    September 20, 2023

    Mass Spec for Rapid Detection of Biological Warfare Agents

    September 15, 2023

    Case Study: Fatal Avian Influenza Infection in Cat in Poland

    September 15, 2023

    Bird Flu Undergoing Changes That Could Increase Risk of Widespread Human Transmission

    September 14, 2023
    News Scan

    Biodefense Headlines – 19 September 2023

    News Scan September 19, 2023

    News highlights on health security threats and countermeasures curated by Global Biodefense This week’s selections include a global survey of gain-of-function research; funding of an mRNA mpox vaccine; Nipah virus outbreak in India; field detection of threat agents with acoustic…

    Upcoming Events

    Oct 3
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    October 3 - October 5

    OneLab Summit 2023

    Oct 3
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

    Public-Private Partnerships to Distribute, Dispense, and Administer Medical Countermeasures

    Oct 4
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    10:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT

    Tunneling Nanotubes and Intracellular Protrusions Workshop

    Oct 12
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

    Public-Private Partnerships for Acceptance and Uptake of Medical Countermeasures

    View Calendar

    Subscribe to Global Biodefense

    Get the latest news on pathogens and preparedness

    © 2023 Stemar Media Group LLC
    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Subscribe

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.