Precautions Advised by WHO in South Africa Virus Outbreak

Travelers to South Africa have been advised to take precautions by the WHO against insect bites and contact with raw meat, after an outbreak of Rift Valley fever killed 18 people.

"WHO advises no international travel restriction to or from South Africa." the agency said in a statement posted on its website.

About Mosquito Diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc are common in places conducive of mosquito breeding. Swamps, ponds and stagnated drainage provide optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

"However, WHO recommends that visitors to South Africa, especially those intending to visit farms and/or game reserves, avoid coming into contact with animal tissues or blood, avoid drinking unpasteurized or uncooked meat or eating raw meat," it added.

"All travellers should take appropriate precautions against bites from mosquitoes and other blood sucking insects."

Rift Valley fever is a viral disease in livestock such as cattle, sheep and camels, but can also infect humans through indirect or direct contact with infected animal blood or organs.

About Aids
AIDS or HIV is an epidemic disease, a potentially deadly infection that can be prevented with precautions. AIDS/HIV symptoms manifest long after the actual infection occurs.

"Human infections have also resulted from the bites of infected mosquitoes," the WHO noted.

The advice emerged just weeks before football's World Cup, when thousands of football supporters are expected to travel to South Africa.

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Hepatitis A is the most benign of the hepatitis viruses and usually has no long term side effects. Hepatitis A vaccine is available that is 95% effective in preventing the disease.

Most human cases of the disease, which is prevalent in east and north Africa, are mild, according to a WHO factsheet, but it has been deadly in an average of less than one percent of cases with a more severe haemorrhagic form.

The statement said the South African government had confirmed 186 cases of the viral fever in humans by May 10, including 18 deaths, in five provinces: Free State, Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, as well as North West Province.

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Herpes labialis presents as a blister or cluster of small blisters that appear at the corner or edge of the lips which are painful and reddish purple in color.

It was not immediately clear when the outbreak began.

The WHO said an initially suspected case in a German tourist, who fell ill on April 7 after visiting game reserves and rural areas, had been ruled out by laboratory tests.

"Travel medicine professionals and travel medicine services should be aware of the current RVF situation in South Africa in order to provide advice and care accordingly," the UN health agency said.

Source-AFP
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