1. Epidemiologic Investigations into Outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever in Humans, South Africa, 2008-2011.
- Author
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Archer, Brett N., Thomas, Juno, Weyer, Jacqueline, Cengimbo, Ayanda, Landoh, Dadja E., Jacobs, Charlene, Ntuli, Sindile, Modise, Motshabi, Mathonsi, Moshe, Mashishi, Morton S., Leman, Patricia A., le Roux, Chantel, van Vuren, Petrus Jansen, Kemp, Alan, Paweska, Janusz T., Blumberg, Lucille, and Jansen van Vuren, Petrus
- Subjects
RIFT Valley fever ,EPIDEMIC research ,PUBLIC health ,DISEASE incidence ,BODY fluids ,ANIMAL health - Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis posing a public health threat to humans in Africa. During sporadic RVF outbreaks in 2008-2009 and widespread epidemics in 2010-2011, 302 laboratory-confirmed human infections, including 25 deaths (case-fatality rate, 8%) were identified. Incidence peaked in late summer to early autumn each year, which coincided with incidence rate patterns in livestock. Most case-patients were adults (median age 43 years), men (262; 87%), who worked in farming, animal health or meat-related industries (83%). Most case-patients reported direct contact with animal tissues, blood, or other body fluids before onset of illness (89%); mosquitoes likely played a limited role in transmission of disease to humans. Close partnership with animal health and agriculture sectors allowed early recognition of human cases and appropriate preventive health messaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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