Rift Valley Fever Vaccination Under Way

A livestock vaccination effort in Kenya is under way in a campaign against Rift Valley Fever, an infection transmitted to humans from infected animals.

So far 74 people have died of the disease, the Nation said Wednesday. About 219 people were reported infected.

Besides direct contact, the infection can be transmitted to humans from animal products, said Shanaaz Shariff, a senior deputy director of medical services.

The government banned the sale and consumption of raw milk in the affected areas and has imposed a quarantine, Shariff said. Health officials also are providing insecticide-treated mosquito netting and spraying indoors.

Shariff said the viral infection could be prevented through comprehensive and sustained animal vaccination and mosquito control.

I would like to reassure Kenyans that the situation is under control since no human-to-human infection has been reported, he said. Experts have identified herdsmen handling infected animals as being primarily responsible for fueling the spread of the disease.