By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

From April 26 to May 20, 109 total, confirmed and suspected human Rift Valley fever (RVF) cases were reported in four regions of Madagascar (Vatovavy Fitovinany, Haute Matsiatra, Alaotra Mangoro and Analamanga), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Public domain image/Jonathan Hornung via wikimedia commons

Ten cases were laboratory confirmed and two deaths were recorded.

This followed reports from the Institut Pasteur in Madagascar which confirmed RVF by PCR in animals following alerts of abortion cases in ruminants on April 1.

Rift Valley Fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that causes illness in animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels).

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Most people with RVF have either no symptoms or a mild illness with fever, weakness, back pain, and dizziness. A small percentage (8-10%) of people with RVF develop much more severe symptoms, including eye disease, hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Most people recover within one week. Approximately 1% of people who get RVF die.