Climate models predict persistent above-average rains and risk of flooding in East Africa: FAO, OIE and WHO warn countries to remain vigilant about Rift Valley fever Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an arthropod-borne arboviral disease that predominantly affects ruminants and humans, causing major socio-economic implications. The disease occurs in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and it is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes of several different species. In East Africa, RVF epidemics are periodical and significantly associated with climate anomalies, such as persistent, unusual, widespread, above-average rainfall and flooding, particularly during El Niņo episodes. These factors increase vector abundance, thus influencing the risk of disease emergence, transmission and spread. During September, October and November 2014 persistent above-average rainfall have been observed and predicted in East Africa and the Arabian peninsula in relation to a relatively warm El Niņo condition. FAO, OIE, WHO and the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) of the NASA are closely monitoring these climatic conditions to predict the risk of RVF vector amplification in the region. Given the predicted risk for potential RVF activity in identified areas of the Republic of Sudan, the Republic of South Sudan, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen, FAO, WHO and OIE encourage countries at risk to remain vigilant about Rift Valley fever and to increase their level of preparedness. Specific recommendations are provided in this awareness message...[Download the full report]
Contents · Introduction · Climate-based forecasting models and early warning systems · Recent warning message · Tripartite FAO, OIE and WHO recommendations · One Health communication and public awareness · References |