8 August 2023
By: Lloyd Phillips
It is hoped that the results of a survey will help generate a modelling system that enables South Africa’s livestock farmers and other stakeholders in animal health to be better prepared for Rift Valley fever outbreaks.
Everyone in the livestock and game value chains has been urged to complete a short online survey that aims to produce more accurate predictions of possible Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says RVF is a viral disease which is spread to sheep, cattle and goats by mosquitoes. It can kill infected animals and force pregnant females to abort.
Humans become infected by handling animals, carcasses or meat that carry the virus.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development says RVF occurrences tend to escalate during the warm and wet seasons that favour mosquito breeding.
African Farming has previously reported that South Africa continues to experience an insufficient and inconsistent supply of vaccines against RVF.
“It is estimated that South Africa suffered a direct loss of close to R2.253 billion after the big Rift Valley fever outbreak in 2010 and 2011,” Dr Stuart Varrie, a vet consultant at Cape Wools, told African Farming in May. “Besides economic losses, farmers also suffered genetic and reproductive losses due to livestock deaths.”
Now, researchers from the EcoHealth Alliance, a global non-profit organisation, and the Agricultural Research Council are collaborating to develop a modelling system aimed at forecasting the risk of RVF outbreaks.
To assist them, they have asked all stakeholders in South Africa’s livestock and game value chains to complete a short online survey. Results will guide the design of the RVF forecasting system and show which information is most useful to stakeholders.
To take the survey, click here.
To find out more, email Emma Mendelsohn at mendelsohn@ecohealthalliance.org or Melinda Rostal at rostal@ecohealthalliance.org
