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Rift Valley Fever


About this topic


Rift Valley fever is also called RVF. You can get this illness if an infected mosquito or blood-feeding fly bites you. You may also get it by coming in contact with blood or body fluids from infected animals. The germs can affect animals like sheep and cattle. Camels, goats, cats, and dogs may also be affected. Drinking milk that has not been treated with heat is another way the germs are passed on. So is eating raw meat from an animal with the infection. So far, it has not been transmitted from human to human. ‚  


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What are the causes?


  • The Phlebovirus germ causes RVF.
  • The virus can spread by direct contact with infected animals blood, urine, feces, saliva, and fetal fluids.

What can make this more likely to happen?


  • If you work:
    • With farm animals
    • In an animal hospital or shelter
    • As a meat packer
    • In a slaughterhouse
  • Living on a farm
  • If you live, hunt, or travel in certain parts of the world like:
    • Africa
    • Egypt
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Yemen

What are the main signs?


Most people with this illness have no signs or very mild signs like: ‚  
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Neck stiffness
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Sensitive to light

A few people have a more serious form of the disease. They may have: ‚  
  • Eye problems
  • Infection around the brain
  • Liver and bleeding problems

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?


Your doctor will ask about your history and do an exam. The doctor may check your skin, mouth, and throat for sores. The doctor may feel your belly for swollen organs. You may need to have tests like: ‚  
  • Lab tests
  • Biopsy
  • Blood, sputum, or urine culture
  • Lumbar puncture or spinal tap

How does the doctor treat this health problem?


There is no specific treatment for RVF. The doctor will treat your signs. This often includes rest, fluids, and drugs to help control your signs. ‚  

Are there other health problems to treat?


You may need more care if you have the more serious form of the disease. You may have: ‚  
  • Swelling of your brain
  • Eye infections
  • Liver problems
  • Serious bleeding

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Fight an infection
  • Lower fever
  • Replace fluids you have lost
  • Ease headache
  • Ease muscle and joint pain

Will there be any other care needed?


Try to learn the source of infection. It is important that you clean infected areas and workplaces. ‚  

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


Get rid of areas where mosquitoes like to breed. ‚  
  • Empty unused swimming pools.
  • Dump out water that may collect in tires, buckets, or containers.
  • Clean or unclog roof gutters.
  • Clear your yard of dead trees to remove insects that live in them.

Protect yourself. ‚  
  • Apply or spray mosquito repellent on your skin.
  • Wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs.
  • Avoid unnecessary activities outside your house.
  • Place wire screens in your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from going in.
  • Sleep under a mosquito net.

Avoid contact with infected animals. ‚  
  • If you work with animals:
    • Get tested often. Also, test the animals for RVF fever.
    • Make sure that you throw away animal birth products, stool, or other wastes the right way.
    • Follow proper ways to bag, disinfect, and wash work clothes and tools that touch animals.
  • Avoid eating or drinking unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
  • Avoid contact with animal blood, stool, or urine.
  • If you have a skin wound, protect it with a waterproof bandage.

Where can I learn more?


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/Fact_Sheets/Rift%20Valley%20Fever%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf ‚  
Center for Food and Security and Public Health ‚  
http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/rift_valley_fever.pdf ‚  
World Health Organization ‚  
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs207/en/ ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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