Thursday, October 11, 2007

Rift Valley Fever in Iraq

As though things weren't crazy in Iraq already, lab tests on four sheep and cattle in the town of Nassiriyah in Southern Iraq tested positive for Rift Valley Fever. Although the results have yet to be confirmed at the National Laboratory in Baghdad (surprising that such a lab is up and running...) this could mean even more problems to an already troubled region. Rift Valley Fever is a Bunyavirus virus that can be transmitted to humans via mosquito vectors and can in rare cases cause a hemorrhagic fever. Fortunately, some vaccine is available and has been sent.

See the link here http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/909c3446e3769d44bee810287ff3eee0.htm

-Jon Dyal

No comments: