Health authorities in Mauritania and Senegal are grappling with a new outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF), a mosquito-borne viral disease that primarily affects livestock but can also infect humans.
On September 29, Mauritania’s Ministry of Health confirmed three RVF-related deaths in the regions of Trarza, Brakna, and Assaba. Officials swiftly activated emergency protocols, cooperating with the World Health Organization (WHO) and technical partners to contain the virus and prevent further spread. Authorities emphasized that there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Early investigations indicate the cases resulted from contact with infected animals or animal products, reinforcing the importance of food safety and livestock handling precautions.
In neighboring Senegal, the outbreak is proving even more severe. The Senegalese Ministry of Health has reported 21 confirmed RVF cases, including seven fatalities. The crisis has prompted emergency meetings and increased surveillance, with teams in place to manage and treat patients as well as to track new cases. Authorities in both countries are urging the public—and especially livestock handlers and butchers—to use protective gear, cook meat thoroughly, and boil milk before consumption, underscoring that the risk is highest through direct contact with sick animals or their products and, less commonly, through mosquito bites.
RVF typically causes mild, flu-like symptoms in humans, but serious complications and death are possible, especially in vulnerable populations. Health officials in Mauritania, Senegal, and across West Africa are calling for vigilance, the adoption of preventive measures, and prompt reporting of suspicious livestock deaths or abortions, which may signal the presence of the virus in herds. The affected countries have intensified epidemiological monitoring, and public health guidance is being frequently updated.
Separately, Senegal’s health ministry is also responding to a resurgence of monkeypox (Mpox), reporting two new cases in late September, adding to the region’s ongoing public health challenges.
Authorities in both Mauritania and Senegal stress that the situation remains under close control but caution citizens to follow official guidance, avoid spreading rumors, and use only reputable information sources. Vigilance at community and institutional levels is vital to limit the outbreak’s impact and protect public health.
