Rift Valley fever: surveillance measures assessed

EFSA has completed its series of assessments on Rift Valley fever (RVF) with a scientific opinion Opinions include risk assessments on general scientific issues, evaluations of an application for the authorisation of a product, substance or claim, or an evaluation of a risk assessment looking at the effectiveness of surveillance and control measures in the EU.

The latest opinion follows two opinions published earlier this year which assessed respectively the risk of introduction of RVF to the EU and the impact of the disease in the French overseas department of Mayotte.

Background

Rift Valley fever is a vector A carrier of a disease-causing agent from an infected individual to a non-infected individual or its food or environment; for example, mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites-borne disease transmitted by mosquitoes to animals – domestic and wild ruminants and camels – and humans.

The disease is endemic Consistently present in a population or region, whether dormant or active as measured by clinical tests in sub-Saharan Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula, but has never been reported in continental Europe although its range is expanding. In 2018-19 it reappeared after ten years in Mayotte, where there have been outbreaks involving multiple human cases.

• Rift Valley fever – assessment of effectiveness of surveillance and control measures in the EU