Prevention and Intervention

Even though Rift Valley Fever hasn't yet made it's way out of Africa, the CDC and WHO are taking measures to prevent any kind of serious outbreak. Different drugs, such as Ribavirin and MP-12 are being tested as vaccines, but neither of them are being released on the market yet. Prevention, however, is simple. RVFV is transmitted by bites from carrier bugs (primarily mosquitos) and eating the meat of an infected animal. Animals in the U.S. have never gotten RVFV before, so the infected meat isn't a real problem here, but using bednets and bug repellent to keep bugs away is mandatory whenever you're traveling. Bug nets cost a maximum of $10, so it's not that hard to prevent yourself from getting this virus. Also, if you happen to be traveling in an area where RVFV is endemic, you should not sleep outside or come in contact with animals who show signs of being infected with RVFV. If you follow these measures, you should be safe from contracting this disease.