title: Rift Valley Fever outbreaks in Mauritania and related environmental conditions.
abstract: Four large outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) occurred in Mauritania in 1998, 2003, 2010 and 2012 which caused lots of animal and several human deaths. We investigated rainfall and vegetation conditions that might have impacted on RVF transmission over the affected regions. Our results corroborate that RVF transmission generally occurs during the months of September and October in Mauritania, similarly to Senegal. The four outbreaks were preceded by a rainless period lasting at least a week followed by heavy precipitation that took place during the second half of the rainy season. First human infections were generally reported three to five weeks later. By bridging the gap between meteorological forecasting centers and veterinary services, an early warning system might be developed in Senegal and Mauritania to warn decision makers and health services about the upcoming RVF risk.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. Cyril.Caminade@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caminade
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. Jacques-andre.ndione@cse.sn.
authors.forename: Jacques A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ndione
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. diallo@pasteur.sn.
authors.forename: Mawlouth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. macleod@atm.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dave A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: MacLeod
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. ofaye@pasteur.sn.
authors.forename: Ousmane
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. ba@pasteur.sn.
authors.forename: Yamar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ba
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. dia@pasteur.sn.
authors.forename: Ibrahima
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. A.P.Morse@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Morse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006041:Goats; D006801:Humans; D008435:Mauritania; D011891:Rain; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012756:Sheep