Seven more human laboratory cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) have been confirmed by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), increasing the number of infected people to 39.
The RVF which has been confined to two provinces - Free State and Northern Cape - since the first human laboratory case was confirmed on 13 February 2010 has spread to the Eastern Cape province.
Of the 39 cases, 34 are in Free State, three in Eastern Cape and two in Northern Cape.
Most of these cases reported direct contact with RVF infected livestock and/or linked to farms with confirmed animal cases of RVF. The human cases are farmers, veterinarians and farm workers. Additional suspect cases are currently being tested.
There is no specific treatment for RVF. There is no routine vaccine available for humans. Symptoms of RVF usually 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.
Outbreak investigations by the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are being supported by the South African Field Epidemiology and Training Programme (SA-FELTP) and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The outbreak response team is working around the clock to contain the spread.
The Deputy Minister visited the affected Free State on 7 March 2010.
For enquiries:
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 083 679 7424
For interviews:
Patrick Moonasar
Cell: 082 578 3107
Issued by: Department of Health
19 March 2010
