Unexpected Rift Valley Fever Outbreak, Northern Mauritania

Abstract

During September–October 2010, an unprecedented outbreak of Rift Valley fever was reported in the northern Sahelian region of Mauritania after exceptionally heavy rainfall. Camels probably played a central role in the local amplification of the virus. We describe the main clinical signs (hemorrhagic fever, icterus, and nervous symptoms) observed during the outbreak.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mauritania: a review of their biodiversity, distribution and medical importance

“…Most of the reviewed literature dealt with the inventory, distribution and ecology of the mosquito fauna focusing on those of medical importance, particularly anopheline mosquitoes. While research carried out before 1970 was limited and was often part of the malaria pre-elimination programme at that time, entomological research gained momentum at the beginning of the twentieth century after the repeated outbreaks of RVF of 1987 and 1998 in the south and southeastern regions of Mauritania where the disease became endemic since that time [10]. …”

“…Cattles, small ruminants and camels are moved every year for grazing or sale, favoring virus circulation by introducing viraemic animals from an infected area to a receptive one as it has been suggested during the RVF outbreaks in Hodh Elgharbi and Adrar regions [10, 41]. …”

“…vexans (A) Ae. vexans (A, L)Adr, Asb, Grg, Hgh, Tag, Trz[8–10, 21, 23, 43, 57] Ae. dalzieli (A)Hgh[8] Ae.…”

Anomalous High Rainfall and Soil Saturation as Combined Risk Indicator of Rift Valley Fever Outbreaks, South Africa, 2008–2011

“…Humans become infected through contact with the tissues of infected animals or, less commonly, from the bite of infected mosquitoes; infection usually results in a benign febrile illness, although complications, such as ocular sequelae or fatal encephalitis and hemorrhagic disease, can occur ( 1 , 2 ). Large epidemics occur at irregular intervals of 5–15 years, or longer, when heavy rainfall facilitates the breeding of the mosquito vectors, and result in substantial economic losses due to livestock deaths and restrictions on animal trade ( 3 ). …”

Retinitis Secondary to Rift Valley Fever : Case Report and Review of Literature.

“…It affects cattle, sheep and humans 1,2 . The disease transmitted to human by bits of infectedmosquito or direct exposure to infected animals' tissues 1,3 .Disease presentation ranges from mild, selflimited to sever form with hemorrhagic, ocular, meningoencephalitis complications 4 . Symptoms ofRVF starts after the incubation period (2days to 1 week) as flu like symptoms with headache, photophobia, joint pain, retro-orbital pain and myalgia 1,5 .…”