Epidemiologic Investigations into Outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever in Humans, South Africa, 2008-2011

Abstract

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis posing a public health threat to humans in Africa. During sporadic RVF outbreaks in 2008-2009 and widespread epidemics in 2010-2011, 302 laboratory-confirmed human infections, including 25 deaths (case-fatality rate, 8%) were identified. Incidence peaked in late summer to early autumn each year, which coincided with incidence rate patterns in livestock. Most case-patients were adults (median age 43 years), men (262; 87%), who worked in farming, animal health or meat-related industries (83%). Most case-patients reported direct contact with animal tissues, blood, or other body fluids before onset of illness (89%); mosquitoes likely played a limited role in transmission of disease to humans. Close partnership with animal health and agriculture sectors allowed early recognition of human cases and appropriate preventive health messaging.

Keywords: Rift Valley fever; Rift Valley fever virus; South Africa; disease outbreak; epidemiology; occupational exposure; risk factors; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure 1

Epidemic curve illustrating the frequency of Rift Valley fever laboratory-confirmed cases, all specimens tested, and suspected cases tested by month of illness onset, South Africa, 2008–2011 (N = 302).

Figure 2

The spatial frequency distribution of human laboratory-confirmed Rift Valley fever cases by administrative local municipality by year, South Africa (SA), 2008–2011 (N = 302).