Health News
WHO: 15 deaths from Rift Valley fever in South Africa
May 4, 2010, 16:34 GMT
Geneva - The World Health Organization on Tuesday reported the first confirmed case of a traveller to South Africa contracting Rift Valley fever, which has already killed 15 people in the country.
Since an outbreak began at the beginning of the year, a total of 172 people have been infected.
The German traveller visited rural areas and game reserves along the coast in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces, the WHO said in a disease update note. She was with several others, who were being checked to see if they too carried the virus.
German health authorities are also investigating the incident.
Authorities in South Africa, meanwhile, are said to be working to contain the virus, which primarily affects animals but also has the capacity to infect humans.
In addition to regular measures, such as using mosquito repellents, the WHO said travelers to rural areas or game reserves in South Africa should 'avoid coming into contact with animal tissues or blood, avoid drinking unpasteurized or uncooked milk or eating raw meat.'
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