The latest outbreak in Rwanda began in mid-August near the border with Tanzania. Authorities increased surveillance and started vaccinating livestock on 7 September 2024. By 30 September some animals had tested positive and about a quarter of earmarked animals were vaccinated.
Rift Valley Fever spreads through infected mosquito bites and contact with blood or organs, and sometimes from raw meat or unpasteurised milk. Tests use PCR, which can take several hours, and rapid test kits are not available. Over 100 people who may have had contact with infected animals were tested by PCR and none were positive so far.
Difficult words
- outbreak — sudden start of many disease cases
- surveillance — careful watching for disease or danger
- vaccinate — give a medicine to prevent infectionvaccinating, vaccinated
- livestock — farm animals such as cows and sheep
- earmark — to set aside for a particular useearmarked
- unpasteurised — not heat-treated to kill germs in milk
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think authorities increased surveillance and started vaccinating livestock?
- Would you avoid raw or unpasteurised milk during an animal disease outbreak? Why or why not?
- Have you ever waited several hours for a medical test result? How did you feel?
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