The Existence of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Nigeria: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Over 90 years ago, precisely in 1931, Rift Valley fever (RVF) was discovered in Kenya. However, the virus spread to African countries including Sudan, Somalia, South Africa, Madagascar, Egypt, and Tanzania. It also spread to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Rift Valley fever is an arthropod-borne viral zoonotic disease affecting various species of animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, camels, wild animals, and even humans. It is a highly infectious and contagious disease with quickly spread to other countries through the borders or international movements of animals. RVF is highly economical and of public health significance because it causes neonatal death and decreases milk production in animals, and it is associated with hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, and ocular diseases in humans. Heavy and persistent rainfall, flooding, and availability of mosquito breeding sites such as lakes and water bodies around the animal herd influence the occurrence of RFV because mosquitoes especially Aedes and Culex serve as the primary vector of the disease. Humans become infected following contact with tissues, fluids, and infected animals. In animals, RVF is characterized by hemorrhagic fever, and abortion, while in humans it is associated with encephalitis, ocular diseases, and hemorrhagic fever. In this review article, we discussed the past and present seroprevalence study of Rift Valley in Nigeria then we forecast and suggested respective ways and methods to follow to prevent the future occurrence of the disease in Nigeria.