Rift Valley Fever Outbreak in Mauritania, 1998
Author Information
Author(s): Pierre Nabeth, Yacouba Kane, Mohameden O. Abdalahi, Mawlouth Diallo, Kader Ndiaye, Khalilou Ba, Fabien Schneegans, Amadou Alpha Sall, Christian Mathiot
Primary Institution: Ministere de la Sante et des Affaires Sociales, Nouakchott, Mauritania
Hypothesis
What factors contributed to the Rift Valley fever outbreak in Mauritania in 1998?
Conclusion
The outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Mauritania in 1998 involved significant human and animal infections, indicating the need for improved surveillance.
Supporting Evidence
- 16.7% of humans tested had recent evidence of infection.
- 24.4% of humans tested had past evidence of infection.
- High perinatal mortality rates were observed in livestock.
- Two strains of the virus were isolated from human cases.
- Significant differences in symptoms were noted between positive and negative cases.
Takeaway
In 1998, many people and animals in Mauritania got sick from a virus called Rift Valley fever, and we need to watch for it more closely in the future.
Methodology
Seroepidemiologic and virologic investigations were conducted among humans and animals, including blood tests and virus isolation.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in reporting human cases and the ecological context may affect the findings.
Limitations
The study may not have captured all cases due to underreporting and the timing of mosquito captures.
Participant Demographics
Among the 90 human sera tested, the median age was 26 years, with a male:female ratio of 2:0.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.04
Confidence Interval
33.3, 61.4
Statistical Significance
p=0.04
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