Rift valley fever information

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Rift Valley fever is a fever-causing viral disease that affects livestock and humans in Africa. It is most common during years of heavy rainfall.
People get Rift Valley fever mainly from the bite of an infected mosquito. The disease can also be spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected animal.
Rift Valley fever can cause serious eye infection, inflammation of the brain, severe bleeding (hemorrhage), and death.
To prevent Rift Valley fever, travelers to Africa should take precautions against insect bites:
- use insect repellent
- wear long sleeves and pants, and
- use bednets.
Travelers should also avoid contact with livestock in areas where outbreaks of Rift Valley fever are occurring.

Please visit the following sites for useful information about rift valley fever:

Human infection fact sheet - click here
Animal and Human Infection Fact Sheet - click here
Questions and Answers - click here

For further information, please contact:

The Directorate: Animal Production and Health
Private Bag X138, PRETORIA 0001
Tel: (012) 319 7459 Fax: (012) 329 0499

The Director Veterinary Services (Western Cape Province)
Dr G Mzisa
Tel: (021) 808 5001/2

The State Veterinarian Boland
Private Bag X1, Elsenburg, 7607
Tel: (021) 808 5253 Fax: (021) 8085125

OR Your local state veterinarian

Compiled by Directorate Communication, National Department of Agriculture in cooperation with Directorate Animal Production and Health. Printed and published by National Department of Agriculture and obtainable from Resource Centre, Directorate Communication, Private Bag X144, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. 1999.