Statements

Statement on Rift Valley fever in West Africa

Rift Valley fever_ West Africa

16 October 2025

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) acknowledges the recent increase in human and animal cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Senegal and Mauritania, which has resulted in several human deaths. These outbreaks appear to be linked to heavy rainfall and flooding in preceding months which  have created favourable conditions for disease transmission. As RFV is a transboundary animal disease, regional cooperation will be essential to assess and manage the risk posed by these outbreaks.

RVF is a vector-borne viral zoonosis that primarily affects livestock such as buffalo, camels, cattle, goats, and sheep, but can also infect humans and wildlife. The disease can cause severe illness in both animals and people and lead to significant economic losses due to livestock deaths and abortions. Human infections typically occur when the disease is widespread among animals, usually through direct or indirect contact with infected animal tissues.

Veterinary Services in affected countries are actively assessing the extent of the outbreaks and are implementing measures to limit their spread and reduce their impact. Close cooperation with public health authorities is  essential to ensure early detection, provide treatment, and where possible, prevent further human infections.

RVF epidemics occur periodically and are strongly influenced by climatic and environmental factors —  such as rainfall and flooding — which affect mosquito populations, and the immunity of susceptible animal species.

Coordinating a global response

Combining satellite and on-the-ground data is an important approach to improve early warning systems and to prepare for  RVF outbreaks. Early warning must be linked to action and communicated across all relevant sectors.

In 2022, WOAH, in partnership with its Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology, Modelling and Surveillance (IZS-Teramo, Italy), launched PROVNA, an initiative that uses risk-based surveillance to predict  mosquito-borne disease outbreaks like RVF in North Africa through an eco-regionalisation approach.

Early warning is vital because the most effective approach to preventing RVF in humans and animals is to vaccinate at-risk animals before outbreaks occur.

WOAH is working closely with its Regional Representation for Africa, national Delegates in Mauritania and Senegal, its Collaborating Centres, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor the situation. WOAH stands ready to provide additional support as needed.

RVF is a priority disease of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) platform in Africa.

WOAH urges Members to:

  • Assess
    • The possible distribution of infection in animals, including wildlife
    • The vector density and likely evolution.
    • The risk of spread of the disease through formal or informal movements of animals and animal products.
  • Collaborate:
    • Apply a One Health approach, which integrates animal, human, and environmental health, to  prevention and control RVF outbreaks.
    • Work closely with neighbouring countries and regional partners to manage this shared risk.

Protect communities, providing timely information and guidance to population exposed to direct transmission from animals and their products such as livestock owners, herders, and abattoir workers on:

  • Personal protection and prevention measures
  • Safe animal handling
  • Consumption of pasteurised milk and well cooked meat
  • Rapid reporting animal deaths or abortions
  • Be vigilant:
    • Monitor the situation and raise awareness amongst farmers, veterinary professionals and public health workers.
    • Implement surveillance for early detection of RVF and report detections in animals promptly through WOAH’s World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS).
  • Be prepared:
    • Review and update emergency preparedness plans to ensure rapid response capacity.
    • Ensure sufficient resources are available for implementation of plans.
  • Enhance diagnostic and laboratory capacity:
    • Ensure laboratories are well equipped, trained, and supported to confirm RVF infections in both animals and vectors
    • Share data rapidly with national and regional authorities.
  • Take necessary science-based actions to limit the impact and in particular:
    • Ensure safe trade and effective surveillance according to Chapter 8.16 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code (the Code).
    • Prepare and implement vaccination strategies in line with Chapter 4.18 of the Code, with vigilance regarding the risk associated with vaccinating infected animals.
    • Reduce mosquito breeding sites near households and farms where possible and use repellents and insecticides judiciously to avoid resistance and environmental impacts.

More technical information on Rift Valley fever and its control measures is available on the WOAH, FAO and WHO websites.


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