THE national Department of Health has assured tourists coming for the Fifa World Cup that chances of their contracting Rift Valley Fever are very slim.

THE national Department of Health has assured tourists coming for the Fifa World Cup that chances of their contracting Rift Valley Fever are very slim.

This comes after a German tourist, who recently visited the country, was confirmed to have contracted the fever.

"Visitors coming to South Africa for the Fifa World Cup are not at risk unless they handle infected animals or their body fluids, handle carcasses on farms or raw meat from infected animals, as well as consume unpasteurised milk obtained from infected animals. It is highly unlikely that visitors would be involved in these activities," spokesperson Charity Bhengu said.

Rift Valley Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and causes outbreaks of abortion and deaths among young livestock.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has since asked specimen of the German tourist for a re-test.