WorldAfricaGlobal alert for hemorrhagic fevers

Global alert for hemorrhagic fevers

Type of event:
Disease/Outbreak, Public Health

Victims

Wounded

Date

October 14, 2024

What happened

It is of significant concern that two new viruses, Rift Valley fever, and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever, are present in Africa and can potentially reach Europe causing harm if not addressed promptly. This is what Nicola D’Alterio, General Director of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo, said in his closing remarks at the One Health Award scientific event. John Nkengasong, a virologist and consultant to the Biden administration on infectious diseases, has identified the current situation as a global crisis, given that what was previously confined to a specific locality is now crossing all borders. In light of this, there is a need to closely monitor African countries, where the population resides in precarious hygienic and sanitary conditions, with prompt intervention to prevent these conditions from becoming conducive to the emergence and spread of novel viruses.

Where it happened

Main sources