Rodenticide-induced signs simulating Rift Valley fever in sheep and goats in Egypt

Epidemic Rift Valley fever is generally recognised when a higher than expected frequency of abortions and haemorrhages occurs in sheep and other livestock. Other infectious agents can cause similar clinical signs. In Egypt, an outbreak of abortions and haemorrhages in sheep and goats in 1982 was traced to intoxication with the rodenticide brodifacoum. The epidemic lasted for three weeks and resulted in 120 deaths. The end of the epidemic coincided with a heavy rainstorm. This outbreak demonstrates the need for the strict control of the use of rodenticides and widens the differential diagnosis of epidemic abortion in sheep and goats.