The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries remains concerned about the spread of Rift Valley fever (RVF) and the rising of human cases reported. Our team continues to work with the affected provinces, experts from the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute and the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) (Ltd) vaccine facility to bring this outbreak under control. OBP will prioritise the distribution of vaccines to the affected provinces.
Rift Valley fever is a viral disease of animals that is spread by mosquitoes, causing abortions in sheep, goats and cattle and can cause death in young animals. Humans can get infected if they come into contact with blood and other body fluids from infected animals, or if they assist with abortions and handle infective aborted material, like foetuses, placentas and placental fluids. It is not for the first time that South Africa experiences the disease. The current outbreak was triggered by the high rainfall experienced at the beginning of the year in the Free State province.
A total of 183 outbreaks have been reported until 21 April 2010, with more than 6 000 animal cases and more than 3 500 animal deaths. Sheep are by far the most affected species, with some cattle and goats also affected. A small number of wildlife has also been affected. The Free State province is the worst hit by the disease, followed by the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape provinces. A few outbreaks have been reported in the North West, Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.
Extreme caution needs to be exercised by farmers:
* All suspected cases of RVF should be reported to their private veterinarian or to the nearest state veterinarian.
* Special precautions when handling sick or dead animals should be taken due to the possibility of contracting this disease when they come into contact with infected animal material.
* Sick or potentially infected animals SHOULD NOT be presented for slaughter at abattoirs as it exposes abattoir workers and consumers to Rift Valley fever. Therefore, animals from Rift Valley fever affected areas should not be sent for slaughter.
* Vaccination of susceptible animals remains the best way to protect animals.
Meat inspection personnel should strengthen controls at abattoirs by ensuring the recording of the origins of animals slaughtered and the conducting of an extensive ante-mortem inspection of animals presented for slaughter. Any suspicious cases should be reported to the nearest state veterinary office.
Abattoir owners should take responsibility of preventing the slaughter of potentially infected animals by avoiding the sourcing of animals from outbreak areas. Information in this regard is available from the nearest state veterinary offices.
Provincial veterinary authorities should maintain extreme vigilance at all times and interact to coordinate local responses with colleagues at the provincial departments of health and at local government level.
Continued engagements with South Africa's trade partners remain a priority to prevent unnecessary trade restrictions.
For more information, contact:
Noncedo Vutula
Tel: 012 319 7348
Cell: 082 523 4904
E-mail: CDCI@daff.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
22 April 2010
