RIFT Valley Fever is a viral disease that can cause severe disease in a low proportion of infected humans.

RIFT Valley Fever is a viral disease that can cause severe disease in a low proportion of infected humans.

The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes the death of young livestock (sheep, goats and cattle).

Humans become infected from contact with infected tissues of livestock and less frequently from mosquito bites.

The symptoms include:

The sudden onset of flu-like fever and-or muscle pain.

Some patients develop neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, loss of appetite and vomiting.

Symptoms last from four to seven days, after which time the immune response becomes detectable with the appearance of antibodies - and the virus gradually disappears from the blood.

Severe form of the disease in humans includes:

lVision disturbances

Intense headache, loss of memory, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, vertigo, convulsions, lethargy and coma.

Haemorrhagic fever.