Mauritania records first rift valley fever death Since 2022

Mauritanian health authorities have confirmed the country’s first death from Rift Valley Fever (RVF) since the 2022 outbreak.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health on Sunday,September 28,the deceased was a citizen who had recently returned from a neighboring country and showed symptoms of hemorrhagic fever.

Laboratory tests confirmed RVF infection,and the patient later succumbed to the disease. Ten individuals who had been in contact with the deceased have been quarantined as a precaution,though none have shown symptoms so far.

Rift Valley Fever,a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted through mosquitoes or direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids,has been present in Mauritania since 1998. The last major outbreak in 2022 led to 23 deaths nationwide. The virus,which affects both humans and animals,is prevalent in parts of Africa,Asia,the Middle East and the Balkans. There is currently no available vaccine for either humans or animals,making containment measures and early detection crucial to preventing further spread.