Rift Valley Fever Epizootic, Rwanda, 2022.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can cause severe illness and death in livestock.
• Epizootics in livestock can pose a significant threat to animal health and can be a precursor to human infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on a Rift Valley fever epizootic in Rwanda from March to October 2022.
• To quantify the impact of the outbreak on cattle, goats, and sheep.
• To recommend a strategy for future disease control.

Main Methods:

• Case confirmation through laboratory testing.
• Data collection on infection numbers, clinical cases, abortions, and deaths.
• Analysis of epizootic data.

Main Results:

• A total of 3,112 Rift Valley fever infections were confirmed in livestock.
• The outbreak included 1,342 clinical cases, 1,254 abortions, and 516 deaths.
• Cattle, goats, and sheep were all affected.

Conclusions:

• The 2022 Rift Valley fever epizootic in Rwanda had a substantial impact on livestock populations.
• A coordinated One Health strategy is crucial for effective investigation and response to protect both animal and human health.
• Continued surveillance and control measures are necessary to prevent future outbreaks.