First Case of Rift Valley Fever Confirmed in China

China's health authority has confirmed the country's first imported case of Rift Valley Fever (RVF).

A 45-year-old man from Henan Province began to suffer fever, headaches, joint and muscle pains in Angola, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) said.

After a week, he returned Beijing and was admitted to hospital for quarantine and treatment. On Saturday evening, he tested positive for RVF. He is currently in a critical condition, NHFPC said.

‘Rift Valley fever is an acute, fever-causing viral disease most commonly observed in domesticated animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, with the ability to infect and cause illness in humans.’

RVF cases have been found in over 30 countries, mostly in Africa. It affects both humans and livestock. It is spread through infected blood, milk or the bite of infected mosquitoes.

The risk of any spread of the disease is described as low. There is no reported case of person-to-person infection and no specific remedy for the condition, only symptomatic therapy.

Source: Medindia