REGIONAL RIFT VALLEY FEVER UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NAIROBI 000919 SIPDIS AIDAC USAID/DCHA FOR MHESS, WGARVELINK, LROGERS DCHA/OFDA FOR KLUU, GGOTTLIEB, AFERRARA, ACONVERY, KCHANNELL DCHA/FFP FOR WHAMMINK, JDWORKEN AFR/AFR/EA FOR JBORNS STATE FOR AF/E, AF/F AND PRM STATE/AF/E FOR NGARY STATE/F FOR ASISSON STATE/PRM FOR AWENDT, MMCKELVEY NSC FOR TSHORTLEY USUN FOR AMAHONEY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER GENEVA FOR NKYLOH USMISSION UN ROME FOR RNEWBERG SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL SUBJECT: REGIONAL RIFT VALLEY FEVER UPDATE REF: NAIROBI 00483 NAIROBI 00000919 001.2 OF 004 SUMMARY ¶1. A Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak in East Africa has mostly affected Kenya, with smaller outbreaks in Somalia and Tanzania, although weather conditions threaten to cause the spread of RVF further south and west. Through a combination of factors, including information campaigns and favorable weather in some areas, the outbreak has not been particularly severe to date, however scientists fear that this strain may be more virulent than in past outbreaks. Additional research is required to understand transmission mechanisms, fatality risk factors, and effectiveness of animal vaccination programs. Improved monitoring and early detection, and the development of standard response strategies by governments are needed to boost capacity to deal with future outbreaks. End summary. BACKGROUND ¶2. RVF is a viral disease that causes spontaneous abortions, sudden collapse, or death in ruminants and camels. In humans, RVF presents symptoms often confused with influenza or malaria and can lead to acute hemorrhagic disease, blindness, neurological damage, and death in severe cases. ¶3. RVF in East Africa is associated with cyclical and predictable periods of heavy rains in arid and semi- arid zones, leading to temporary flooding, and areas previously affected are extremely susceptible to future outbreaks. The disease is transmitted between animals via mosquito and from animal to human through contact with contaminated tissue at time of slaughter or through consumption of milk or poorly cooked meat products. Given its predictable nature, RVF is highly preventable through early use of vaccines for animals. ¶4. Early and thorough vaccination can minimize the economic impact of the disease. Successful vaccination campaigns require a high coverage rate, broad targeting of all breeds of animals, and must occur prior to an outbreak to avoid spreading the disease via contaminated needles, however, vaccinating pregnant animals may cause abortion and is not recommended. ¶5. Following recent flooding, RVF in livestock has spread across eastern Kenya, into Somalia (REFTEL),and Tanzania. There are no confirmed cases in Ethiopia to date, although experts fear the disease may spread south and west to Rwanda, Mozambique, and southern Africa. OVERVIEW OF RVF VACCINATION CAMPAIGNS ¶6. As of February 2007, the global supply of RVF vaccines has been purchased for Kenya, and the outbreak may be nearly over before additional supplies can be produced by the sole supplier in South Africa and transported to affected areas. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that an additional 4 million vaccines may be available by mid April, and CDC experts are testing a diluted form of the vaccine in order to extend the current supply, although initial results are not promising. NAIROBI 00000919 002.2 OF 004 ¶7. Health agencies, including the CDC, are considering moving some vaccines to other affected countries, but no decision has been reached to date. Regardless, this approach would not necessarily prevent further spread of RVF due to the time required for CDC testing and transport of supplies. Experts are hoping diminished rainfall will slow the spread of RVF in many areas. STATUS OF RVF IN KENYA ¶8. Kenya has been the worst-affected country during the recent outbreak. USAID's Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) responded by providing the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development (MoLFD) with 1,250,000 vaccines as part of MoLFD's overall vaccination campaign, along with complementary in-kind support through CDC. CDC and the Walter Reed project have also contributed substantially to this campaign through provision of staff and other resources. Vaccination programs are ongoing in Kenya. ¶9. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Government of Kenya (GOK) Ministry of Agriculture are conducting surveillance and sampling suspected human and animal cases of RVF. A CDC laboratory in Nairobi is analyzing human samples, and animal samples are being tested at the GOK Kabete laboratory. Both facilities have the capacity to provide diagnostic testing on a regional level. ¶10. The experts believe the outbreak in Kenya has peaked, with the last confirmed case in Northeastern province reported on February 2, and the animal slaughter ban lifted on February 19. Forecasts of decreased rainfall nationwide, including only a few mm expected in southeastern Kenya, suggest the continued decline of RVF in Kenya. RVF IN ETHIOPIA, SOMALIA, TANZANIA, AND MOZAMBIQUE ¶11. No cases of RVF have been reported in Ethiopia as of February 21, and forecasts for dry weather in the at-risk Somali region will likely minimize any spread. Texas A&M University and FAO are conducting surveillance and 1,400 samples from animals have been transported to Addis Ababa for testing. ¶12. In Somalia, three human RVF cases have been confirmed to date, and animal samples collected in January are at the Kabete laboratory for analysis. Rains have tapered off and affected areas along the Kenyan border are expected to remain dry, reducing the likelihood of new outbreaks. Public health messages regarding RVF have been disseminated through FM radio and BBC Somalia. ¶13. In Tanzania, the CDC and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) are working with the Ministry of Health to investigate the potential spread of RVF. Two confirmed human cases were reported in Arusha, additional human samples are in Nairobi for testing, and there are anecdotal reports of some animal deaths and abortions. RVF may spread given forecasted rainfall over the next two weeks. Since vaccines are not currently available, containment depends on the development of effective public health campaigns and bans on slaughter. NAIROBI 00000919 003.2 OF 004 ¶14. Authorities are monitoring Mozambique for the appearance of RVF due to continued rains, flooding, and the endemic presence of RVF in the country. Agriculture and health officials are also monitoring for RVF in Rwanda and southern Africa. ONGOING CONCERNS ¶15. CDC and GOK scientists in Nairobi are concerned that surveillance data showing higher mortality rates among suspected cases than in previous outbreaks may indicate a more virulent strain of the virus. UN, CDC, and GOK experts also note that the absence of RVF in camels this year may indicate that the virus is evolving. ¶16. There are no obvious risk factors for severe infection or mortality, making it difficult to predict the severity of an RVF outbreak. There is some speculation that the slaughter of infected animals may lead to serious human illness and death, whereas mosquito bites or consumption of infected animal products may result in minor flu-like symptoms. ¶17. CDC/Kenya has requested that the GOK Ministry of Livestock collect milk samples to test whether consumption of raw milk can cause disease. Anecdotal evidence suggests infections may result from contaminated goat milk. CDC scientists would also like to test whether cooking kills the virus in meat. ¶18. There is no scientific evidence that vaccination is effective after an outbreak has begun. Multiple outbreaks often occur simultaneously and infected mosquitoes generally transcend the area of infected animals, making a border of vaccinated animals ineffective at stopping the spread of the disease. ¶19. Acute outbreaks of RVF only occur every seven to ten years, making public information campaigns critical since communities at risk are likely to be unfamiliar with the disease. Reports of panic and people consuming products from sick or deceased animals indicate insufficient knowledge of this public health emergency. MITIGATION AND PREVENTION OPPORTUNITIES ¶20. Active surveillance is essential to define the extent and severity of an outbreak, however, insufficient knowledge of the disease and its impacts has hindered consensus on appropriate response and prevention activities. Improved early warning requires increased capacity of animal health services, including surveillance and monitoring high-risk areas. Many of the requisite facilities and infrastructure would also benefit responses to avian influenza or other diseases transmitted between animals and humans. A better understanding of RVF and its impact on human health, economics, and trade dynamics would also encourage appropriate future responses. ¶21. The Somalia Rift Valley Fever Task Force has made a good first step by discussing an action plan to resume livestock exports. The plan addresses safety mechanisms and advocacy for standards and terms of trade for Somali livestock exports. The GOK and other governments in the region should be encouraged to NAIROBI 00000919 004.2 OF 004 develop written response strategies identifying triggers and corresponding mitigating steps, as serious delays result from uncertainty. Response plans for high-risk areas could consider strategic pre-emptive vaccinations. RECOMMENDATIONS ¶22. Although response options are limited for the current outbreak since the vaccine supply is temporarily depleted and most livestock owners are aware of risk factors, ongoing monitoring and coordination amongst actors is critical. Laboratory tests confirming the presence or absence of disease can inform decisions on slaughter bans, export policies, and market closures. OFDA should consider funding CDC for the transfer of laboratory equipment to the GOK laboratory in Nairobi to enable regional testing capacities. ¶23. For mitigation purposes, OFDA is planning to support regional coordination and surveillance efforts through FAO and work to prevent further animal losses from unrelated diseases among already stressed herds. However, research into the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent further spread of the disease, and general impact assessments are also needed. RANNEBERGER