Rift Valley Fever leaves Africa
As of today china is the very first country outside of Africa and Arabia to record a case of Rift Valley Fever. A 45 year old man who was working in Angola was registered into the hospital and diagnosed with Rift Valley Fever, he is currently in critical condition.
Here is what we know about the disease:
1. "Mild symptoms may include: fever, muscle pains, and headaches which often last for up to a week."
"Severe symptoms may include: loss of sight beginning three weeks after the infection, infections of the brain causing severe headaches and confusion, and bleeding together with liver problems which may occur within the first few days. Those who have bleeding have a chance of death as high as 50%."
"Spread by either touching infected animal blood, breathing in the air around an infected animal being butchered, drinking raw milk from an infected animal, or the bite of infected mosquitoes. Animals such as cows, sheep, goats, and camels may be affected. In these animals it is spread mostly by mosquitoes. It does not appear that one person can infect another person."
"Prevention of the disease in humans is by vaccinating animals against the disease. This must be done before an outbreak occurs because if it is done during an outbreak it may worsen the situation. Stopping the movement of animals during an outbreak may also be useful. As may decreasing mosquito numbers and avoiding their bites. There is a human vaccine; however, as of 2010 it is not widely available. There is no specific treatment and medical efforts are supportive."
"The disease was first reported among livestock in Rift Valley of Kenya in the early 1900s, and the virus was first isolated in 1931."
So what are you guys thoughts, are you concerned? Do you think it will spread? Leave your comments below about this topic.