Rift Valley Fever (Situation as of 15 October 2012)
Attachments
A total of 24 cases and 13 deaths were reported from 13 districts
Event description
The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) on 4 October 2012. The date of onset of the index case was 16 September 2012. As of 15 October 2012, 24 cases (7 confirmed, 8 probable and 9 undetermined) had been reported to the Ministry of Health, including 13 deaths. Suspected human cases are being managed in the hospitals. The cases were confirmed by ELISA and PCR at the National Reference Laboratory of the National Institute of Public Health Research (INRS) in Nouakchott and at the Institut Pasteur in Dakar. In addition, 97 blood samples were collected from camels, goats and cattle for serological analysis and one tested positive. Mauritania experienced Rift Valley Fever outbreak in 2010.
Actions taken
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Rural Development are jointly coordinating the investigation and response to the outbreak. A multi-sector task force consisting of animal and human health experts has been re-activated to coordinate all the activities. WHO, FAO and other partners are members of the task force. The task force held their fourth meeting on 12 October, 2012. There is a strong collaboration between FAO and WHO at country level to support the multi-sector task force. The RVF response plan used to control the 2010 outbreak in the northern part of the country (Adra) has been revised and adopted to guide response operations. Guidelines and SOPs on RVF surveillance and case management have been disseminated to all the affected areas to enhance response activities. Animal slaughter houses are being supervised by the veterinary team. A multi-sector investigation team has been deployed to conduct a detailed outbreak investigation among humans and animals in the affected areas. An international team of experts will be deployed to provide technical assistance starting from 3 to 10 November 2012. WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions to be applied to Mauritania.