Symptoms of Rift Valley Fever
Mosquito-borne viral zoonosis. Outbreaks follow heavy rains. Can cause abortion storms in cattle herds.
Early recognition is critical. Watch for fever, a drop in appetite, separation from the herd, reduced milk yield, and any animal that is unusually dull or reluctant to move. Because Rift Valley Fever is a critical, fast-moving disease, treat any sudden cluster of sick or dead animals as a possible outbreak and contact a veterinary officer immediately.
Treatment
Rift Valley Fever is a notifiable disease in most African countries. The first step on suspicion is to isolate affected animals and report to the authorities — do not move or sell suspect stock, as this spreads the disease and can carry legal penalties.
Supportive care — shade, clean water, soft feed, and treatment of secondary infections — improves survival in many cases. There are no cattle breeds with reliable natural immunity to Rift Valley Fever, so prevention rests on management, biosecurity and, where available, vaccination.
Prevention & control
- Biosecurity: Quarantine newly bought animals for 2–4 weeks before mixing them with your herd.
- Vector control: Control ticks through regular dipping or spraying — this is the single most effective measure for tick-borne disease.
- Herd immunity: Keep vaccinations current and maintain good nutrition — well-fed animals withstand disease far better.
- Breed choice: In hotspots, favour breeds with known tolerance.
Vaccination
A vaccine is available for Rift Valley Fever and is the cornerstone of control in endemic zones. Follow the schedule recommended by your local veterinary service — many of these vaccines require annual boosters to maintain protection. Plan them into your yearly calendar so they are not forgotten.
Economic impact
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is rated a critical threat to African herds. Beyond direct losses from death and treatment, critical diseases can shut a country out of export markets overnight, collapsing prices for every owner — not just those whose animals are infected. For an owner, every prevented case protects both the individual animal's value and the productivity of the whole herd. Knowing the price of your stock — see our market prices — makes the cost of prevention easy to justify.