Import of Raw Meat from Namibia Banned
17 May 2010
Word has just reached us that the importation of raw meat from Namibia has been banned due to an outbreak of rift valley fever (RFV) in our neighbouring country. That is bad news for hunters who planned to hunt there over the winter months.

Hunters will, however, still be alllowed to import biltong from Namibia. More news on this subject will appear in our next edition.

RVF remains a serious threat to humans and animals and approximately 1 200 human specimens have been tested for suspected RVF infection - 172 human cases were confirmed and 15 deaths were reported.

Cases range in age from 1 to 86 years (median 43 years), and the majority (86%, 145/169) are male, while 81% work with animals.

Exposure to mosquitoes and drinking unpasteurised milk are two more risks that could lead to RVF.

Fulminate hepatitis resulting in liver failure was noted, but retinitis did not occur in any of the cases.

Of the 15 fatal cases to date, chronic illness was noted in 4 cases:
• History of alcohol abuse/dependence = 2
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus and alcohol abuse = 1
• Pregnant HIV-infected = 1

Seven of the 13 cases with active haemorrhage initially had gastrointestinal bleeding.

The overwhelming majority of cases have reported direct contact with animal tissues/blood, while mosquitoborne transmission of RVF cannot be excluded.

However, the risk is still limited to farmsteads and does not extend to larger human settlements.

Health promotion should include:
• The use of personal protective equipment during risky slaughtering and veterinary procedures
• Discouraging consumption of unpasteurised milk or informally slaughtered meat
• Encouraging personal and community protection against mosquito bites through the use of insect repellents, insecticide-treated bednets, and wearing of light-coloured clothing.

The good news is that there may be a sharp decline in transmission of the disease when the onset of colder weather with frost at the end of May suppresses mosquito activity.

Report compiled by the Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (SAFELTP), National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National
Health Laboratory Service (NHLS); Department of Health (Provincial and National); Animal Health Directorate, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand

Darn, I trust this will be lifted soon.