An epidemic of Rift Valley fever, a viral disease that mainly affects cattle and can also infect humans, is currently affecting zebo herds in several regions of the country. It is transmitted by mosquito bites, the virus’ agent. The Malagasy authorities have taken action.
The epidemic began in February and the Pasteur Institute confirmed several outbreaks of the disease in early April. A total of 473 dead zebras were listed, out of a total of about 19,000 animals for four regions, or 35 affected municipalities in the country according to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, which sounded the alarm.
Measures to limit the movement of contaminated animals have already been taken, as well as the treatment and handling of sick animals, the ministry further specifies. Rift Valley fever affects cattle, but also sheep and goats. The animal salivates a lot, the females lose their young. The symptoms are many.
For the first time in 1979
The virus first appeared in 1979 in Madagascar. And it has reappeared about every ten years, often as part of heavy rainfall, causing more infected mosquito eggs to hatch. Humans can also be contaminated in two other ways: if they ingest infected meat or raw milk from the animal, or by inoculation if they handle it, as part of the slaughter or release.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease causes serious pathologies in humans and animals. And yet, according to the United Nations, the total death toll for humans remains highly variable from one epidemic to another, but is globally set at less than 1% for humans. epidemics that have been documented on the African continent.
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