Rift Valley Fever in northern Tanzania threatens pastoral recovery

Figure 1. Main livestock areas and RVF-infected districts as of February 20, 2007   FULL-SIZE IMAGE Source: FEWS NET

Rift Valley Fever (RVF), an acute, fever-causing viral disease that affects livestock and humans, has broken out in northern Tanzania, causing human and animal deaths and threatening pastoralist livelihoods. Response activities and control measures by the Ministry of Livestock, Ministry of Health, local government and local non-governmental organizations are underway, but livestock death and quarantine measures will prevent pastoralists from benefiting from recent good rains and resultant good pasture conditions.

The Center for Disease Control in Nairobi, Kenya confirmed the presence of RVF in Tanzania on February 1, after testing samples collected by the Tanzanian Ministry of Livestock in Arusha. Animal abortions have been reported in Kilosa, Tarime, Monduli and Simanjiro districts, and three people have died in Monduli and Simanjiro districts (Figure 1).

Despite improved pasture and animal conditions in pastoral areas of Tanzania following good rains in late 2006 and early 2007, the disease is damaging pastoralist livelihoods through livestock deaths and abortions. The disease is also adversely impacting the livestock market, as inter-district movement of animals has been restricted. In addition to pastoralists, the disease threatens the livelihoods of those who depend on livestock products and related activities for labor opportunities.

The Aedes mosquito is the primary vector and reservoir of RVF, which thrives in the wet conditions currently present throughout Tanzania. The disease is also spread through contact with the blood and bodily fluids of infected people and animals, eating infected meat or drinking raw milk—a staple source of food for many pastoralists—from RVF-infected animals. Human symptoms of the disease include high fever, strong headaches, body pain, dizziness, nausea, pain within the eyes, loss of weight and bleeding through body cavities. Animal symptoms include mucus with blood, abortions, yellow color in animals’ eyes and sudden death. Other human and animal diseases, such as malaria, have similar symptoms that can be mistaken for RVF, and careful diagnosis is necessary.

The Tanzanian government has deployed veterinary staff for surveillance and awareness activities in main livestock areas. About US$ 100,000 has been disbursed for vaccinations and awareness-raising campaigns, and quarantine measures are being implemented where animals have tested positive for the disease. However, tight livestock movement restrictions on the border between Tanzania and Kenya—the main livestock outlet for the northern regions—will severely impact livestock trade and pastoral livelihoods.