The Mauritanian Ministry of Health announced the death of eight peoples in the last week due to the Rift Valley Fever, raising the number of deaths, since the outbreak of the disease, to 16 cases.
The general director of public health, Sidi O. Zahaf, said, in a commentary about the development of the Rift Valley Fever, that health authorities have recorded 44 positive cases so far, distributed over nine regions.
Zahaf added, in a statement to the Mauritanian official TV, that the region of Taganet recorded the largest number of infections reaching 26 cases. In comparison, two cases were recorded in Brakna and Assaba, two in Trarza, and one in Hodh Chargui, the Northern Nouakchott, and Adrar.
As the disease spreads, the administrative authorities organized in some regions, where the fever cases are on the rise, awareness-raising campaigns about the seriousness of the illness, the necessity of prevention, and informing the authorities about any suspected case.
Health authorities, represented in the ministries of health and rural development, have already taken urgent measures, dispatching joint mission that coordinate the distribution of impregnated mosquito nets in affected areas with taking care of some cases.
The authorities have also issued instructions regarding the nature of the disease:
- recommending of not touch animals
- washing hands with soap with every touch
- separation of people and animals’ places
- sleeping under impregnated mosquito nets
- warming milk
- cooking red meat before eating it
