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Recommendations of joint FAO/WHO Rift Valley fever outbreaks forecasting models brainstorming workshop

29 September – 1 October 2008

Year of publication 2008

Pages 11

Author FAO/WHO;Animal Production and Health Division

Product type Meeting

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis that was first identified in Kenya in 1931. This mosquitoborne disease primarily affects animals but also has the capacity to infect humans. The majority of animal infections result from infected mosquito bites, while most human infections are caused by direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals. Such contact may occur during the care or slaughtering of infected animals or possibly from the ingestion of raw milk. Human infection can also result from the bites of infected mosquitoes. RVF outbreaks in East Africa are closely associated with periods of heavy rainfall that occur during the warm phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. These findings have enabled the successful development of forecasting models and early warning systems for RVF using satellite images and weather/climate forecasting data, enabling authorities to implement measures to avert impending epidemics.

Language English

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