Mauritania reports first death from Rift Valley Fever since 2022

Mauritanian authorities on Sunday reported the first death from Rift Valley Fever since 2022.

A Health Ministry statement said a citizen arriving from a neighbouring country showed symptoms of a haemorrhagic fever. Tests confirmed that he was infected with Rift Valley Fever and died later from the disease.

The ministry said 10 people, who had previous contact with the deceased citizen, were quarantined, though none of them have yet shown symptoms of the fever.

Rift Valley Fever is an epidemic disease classified under viral haemorrhagic fevers. The virus is transmitted through animals such as mosquitoes or from an infected person’s blood or bodily secretions.

At least 23 deaths in 2022

Rift Valley Fever has been present in Mauritania since the 1990s, first appearing in the country in 1998 and re-emerging in subsequent years.

The last outbreak occurred in 2022, resulting in 23 deaths, according to official figures.

The virus is found in countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans. Currently, there is no vaccine available for humans or animals.