Rift Valley Fever, a mosquito-borne disease - let's be aware!

When we talk about mosquitoes during the rainy season in our country, we immediately think of dengue. But did you know that there are other diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes? One such disease is 'Rift Valley Fever' or 'RVF'. Although this is not very common in our country, and is mainly seen in African countries, it is very important to be aware of such diseases as people travel all over the world and import animals and animal products. So let's talk a little about this today.

What is Rift Valley Fever?

Simply put, this is a disease caused by a virus. This virus mainly lives in the bodies of animals. This disease is especially spread among animals like camels, cows, sheep, and goats. This disease was first discovered in an area called the 'Rift Valley' in Kenya in 1931. That is why it got its name.

So how does this spread to humans? There are two ways.

1. From mosquitoes: The virus can enter the body when a mosquito that has bitten an infected animal then bites a healthy person. The Aedes mosquito is the main culprit.

2. Directly from sick animals: This disease can be transmitted if you come into direct contact with the blood, meat, milk, or other bodily fluids of an infected animal. For example, people who work in slaughterhouses, veterinarians, farm workers, and those who help with animal births are at higher risk.

What are the symptoms of this disease?

Most of the time, even after this virus enters the body , many people do not show any symptoms . That is true. But some people may develop symptoms. This is more severe in animals and less severe in humans. Let's see what these symptoms are.

How is the disease diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis

This disease is a bit difficult to diagnose because symptoms like fever and body aches are also common in our country like dengue, malaria, and influenza. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor your full details .

• Have you recently traveled abroad, especially to an African country?
• Do you work on a farm or in a zoo?
• Did you touch the meat or body parts of a dead animal?

If your doctor suspects something like this, they can run a few special blood tests. These tests are done to either directly detect the virus or to detect antibodies that the body produces against it. For example:

• Virus neutralization test (VNT)
• ELISA test

Treatment

The good news is that people with mild symptoms do not need any special treatment . Just like a normal viral fever, they will get better in two to three days, a maximum of a week. You can use medicine like paracetamol for fever and body aches. But whatever medicine you take, be sure to consult a doctor.

However, someone with the severe symptoms we discussed earlier (such as bleeding, loss of consciousness) must be hospitalized and treated . At the hospital, supportive care such as saline and blood transfusions are provided according to the symptoms.

How can we protect ourselves from this disease?

There are very simple solutions to this.

• Protect yourself from mosquito bites: Just like you protect yourself from dengue fever, apply mosquito repellent, wear long, loose-fitting clothing, and use mosquito nets when sleeping. Be extra careful, especially during heavy rains, when mosquitoes are more likely to breed.
• When working with animals: If you work on a farm, as a veterinarian, or in a butcher shop, always wear gloves and protective clothing. Be careful not to come into contact with an animal's blood or body fluids.
• Foreign travel: If you are traveling to a country where this disease is prevalent, be aware of it and take the necessary safety precautions.

Is there a vaccine?

There is currently no commercially available vaccine for humans. However, there is an investigational vaccine for use in high-risk groups such as veterinarians and laboratory workers. Although vaccines exist for animals, some of their complexities have hindered their widespread use.