Rift Valley Fever: What It Is and How It Is Treated

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Vamsi Krishna Kedarisetti , General Medicine

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1. Causes 2. Find a Doctor 3. Diagnosis 4. Treatment 5. FAQs

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonotic disease that primarily affects animals but can also infect humans. It is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and occurs mainly in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Most people with Rift Valley fever develop no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness. However, a small proportion develop serious complications involving the eyes, brain or liver, including haemorrhagic disease. Outbreaks in humans are often linked to infections in livestock such as sheep, goats, cattle and camels.

What Are the Types of Rift Valley Fever?

Rift Valley fever can be described according to the severity and organs affected. Most infections are mild, while severe forms are uncommon.

Mild Febrile Illness: The most common symptomatic form, causing fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness and other flu-like symptoms.
Ocular Disease: Inflammation of the retina can cause blurred vision, reduced vision or, in some cases, permanent vision loss.
Encephalitic Disease: Inflammation of the brain can cause confusion, severe headache, seizures or other neurological problems.
Haemorrhagic Disease: A rare but severe form that can cause jaundice, bleeding and serious liver dysfunction.

What Are the Symptoms of Rift Valley Fever?

Symptoms usually begin 2 to 6 days after infection. Many infected people have no symptoms, while others develop a sudden flu-like illness that usually improves within several days.

Sudden fever
Severe headache
Muscle pain
Joint pain
Back pain
Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting

Eye Symptoms

Some individuals develop inflammation of the retina one to three weeks after the initial illness. Symptoms may include blurred vision, reduced vision or blind spots. Vision usually improves, but permanent visual impairment can occur when the central part of the retina is affected.

Neurological Symptoms

Rarely, Rift Valley fever can cause inflammation of the brain. Symptoms may include severe headache, confusion, disorientation, seizures, hallucinations or loss of consciousness.

Haemorrhagic Symptoms

Severe haemorrhagic disease is rare and may cause jaundice, vomiting blood, blood in the stools, bleeding from the nose or gums and bleeding beneath the skin.

What Causes Rift Valley Fever?

Rift Valley fever is caused by infection with Rift Valley fever virus. Humans can become infected through contact with infected animals or through the bites of infected mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects.

Contact With Infected Animals: Handling the blood, organs, tissues or body fluids of infected livestock is an important route of transmission.
Mosquito Bites: Several mosquito species, including Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, can transmit the virus.
Occupational Exposure: Farmers, herders, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers and laboratory workers may have an increased risk.
Exposure During Animal Birth or Slaughter: Contact with infected blood, organs, aborted animal fetuses or other tissues can transmit the virus.

Person-to-person transmission has not been documented as a typical route of Rift Valley fever spread.

When to See a Doctor for Rift Valley Fever?

Medical evaluation by an Infectious Disease Specialist or General Physician is recommended for fever, severe headache, muscle pain, or weakness after travel to an affected area, mosquito exposure, or contact with sick livestock. Early assessment is especially important if vision changes, confusion, or unusual bleeding develops.

You should see a doctor if you have:

Fever or flu-like symptoms after contact with sick animals
Persistent headache, muscle pain or unusual weakness
Blurred vision or other new changes in eyesight

Get medical help immediately if:

Unexplained bleeding, vomiting blood or blood in the stools occurs
Confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness develops
Severe weakness, jaundice or rapidly worsening symptoms occur

These could be signs of severe Rift Valley fever, which needs urgent medical care.

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How Is Rift Valley Fever Diagnosed?

Rift Valley fever can be difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone because early symptoms resemble those of several other infectious diseases. Diagnosis involves evaluating symptoms, recent travel, animal exposure and laboratory test results.

RT-PCR Testing

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing can detect genetic material from the virus during the early stage of infection.

Antibody Testing

Blood tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) can detect IgM or IgG antibodies produced in response to Rift Valley fever virus infection.

Virus Detection

Specialised laboratories may use virus isolation or antigen detection methods in selected cases. Testing requires appropriate laboratory safety precautions.

Additional Tests

Blood tests may be performed to assess liver function, kidney function, blood cell counts and clotting abnormalities in people with severe illness.

How Is Rift Valley Fever Treated?

There is currently no specific approved antiviral treatment for Rift Valley fever. Most mild infections improve without specific therapy. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting vital organ function in people with severe disease.

Rest and Hydration

Adequate rest and fluid intake can support recovery from mild illness.
Intravenous fluids may be needed if dehydration or severe illness develops.

Symptom Management

Healthcare providers may recommend appropriate medicines to manage fever, headache and muscle pain.
Medicines that can increase bleeding risk may need to be avoided when haemorrhagic disease is suspected.

Hospital Care

Severe cases may require hospitalisation for close monitoring and supportive treatment.
Care may include intravenous fluids, oxygen support, treatment of seizures and management of organ complications.

Blood Products

Blood or blood products may be required in severe cases involving significant bleeding or clotting abnormalities.

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What Are the Risk Factors for Rift Valley Fever?

The risk of infection is highest among people who live in or travel to affected regions and have close contact with infected animals or mosquitoes.

Living in or travelling to an area with an active outbreak
Working with livestock
Slaughtering or butchering infected animals
Handling animal blood, tissues or body fluids without protection
Working as a veterinarian, farmer, herder or slaughterhouse worker
Frequent exposure to mosquito bites
Consuming raw or unpasteurised animal products in affected areas

What Are the Complications of Rift Valley Fever?

Most people recover completely, but severe forms of Rift Valley fever can cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications.

Retinitis and vision loss
Encephalitis
Seizures
Neurological impairment
Severe liver dysfunction
Haemorrhagic disease
Death in severe cases

How Can Rift Valley Fever Be Prevented?

Prevention focuses on avoiding mosquito bites and reducing contact with the blood, tissues and body fluids of potentially infected animals.

Prevent Mosquito Bites

Use appropriate insect repellents on exposed skin.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in areas with mosquito activity.
Use mosquito nets and other measures to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

Use Protective Equipment

Wear gloves and other appropriate protective equipment when handling sick animals, animal tissues, blood or body fluids.
Follow safe practices during animal slaughter, butchering and veterinary procedures.

Follow Food Safety Measures

Avoid consuming raw or unpasteurised milk and other uncooked animal products in affected areas.
Cook meat and animal products thoroughly before consumption.

Animal Disease Control

Livestock vaccination and mosquito control can help reduce outbreaks in animals and lower the risk of human infection.
Animal vaccination should be carried out before outbreaks because some vaccines may require multiple doses to provide protection.

What Is the Outlook for Rift Valley Fever?

Most people with Rift Valley fever have mild illness and recover completely. The outlook is less favourable when severe eye disease, encephalitis or haemorrhagic complications develop.

Prompt medical evaluation and supportive care are important for people with severe symptoms, particularly those with bleeding, neurological changes, jaundice or vision problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the symptoms of Rift Valley fever?

Symptoms may include sudden fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, weakness, dizziness, and sensitivity to light. Severe cases may cause eye disease, inflammation of the brain, or hemorrhagic fever.

2. What causes Rift Valley fever?

Rift Valley fever is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus. Humans become infected mainly through contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals or through bites from infected mosquitoes.

3. How is Rift Valley fever diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves laboratory testing of blood samples. Tests may include reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the virus and antibody tests to identify the body's immune response.

4. What are the treatment options for Rift Valley fever?

There is no specific approved antiviral treatment for most cases. Treatment focuses on supportive care, including fluids, pain and fever management, and hospital care for severe complications.

5. How can Rift Valley fever be prevented?

Prevention includes avoiding mosquito bites, wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, handling animals and animal tissues safely, and avoiding unpasteurized milk or improperly cooked animal products in affected areas.