Rwanda's Urgent Fight: Containing Deadly Rift Valley Fever

Rwanda is actively engaged in a comprehensive effort to contain the spread of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) among its cattle, goats, and sheep populations. This outbreak led authorities to implement strict measures, including the closure of markets for these animals and a ban on serving meat from affected livestock in bars and restaurants, particularly in the Eastern Province where only fish and chicken are currently available.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) initiated a quarantine on June 26 for cattle, goats, and sheep in six districts: Rulindo, Burera, Gicumbi, Kirehe, Kayonza, and Rwamagana. This quarantine was subsequently expanded to encompass the entire Eastern Province and several districts within the Northern Province. As a preventive measure, livestock in these affected regions have been quarantined, with slaughtering and meat sales strictly prohibited. Livestock supplies are now sourced primarily from the Western and Southern provinces, contingent on negative disease test results. RAB has mandated district authorities to enhance disease control by ensuring immediate reporting of any animals suspected of infection or exhibiting RVF symptoms.

Community leaders and health workers are playing a crucial role in these containment efforts. Jean Damascene Kayiranga, a leader in Karama Village, Kayonza District, reported that village and Isibo leaders, along with community health workers, are conducting household visits to enforce prevention guidelines and report symptoms such as high fever, weakness, and bleeding from body openings. All cattle, sheep, and goats are being taken to designated vaccination sites. Furthermore, cell executive leaders distribute veterinary insecticides like PERMAPY and PERMAPY PLUS, derived from pyrethrum, which are sprayed on livestock twice weekly to control external parasites. Farmers receive these insecticides free of charge, and community health workers provide daily reports on visited households to aid in detecting suspected RVF cases. Innocent Tuyisenge, a livestock farmer, confirmed daily visits by health workers who also remind farmers about regular animal washing and maintaining hygiene in animal enclosures.

The Northern Province, with the exception of Gakenke District, is also under quarantine. On July 13, Musanze District and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre launched a livestock vaccination campaign against RVF in Kinigi Sector. Claudien Nsengiyumva, Mayor of Musanze District, urged residents to adhere to preventive measures, including participating in vaccination drives, avoiding free grazing, and ensuring only inspected and tested livestock are slaughtered.

Dr. Laurien Ntamugabumwe, Head of Veterinary Research and Professional Development at the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD), confirmed that veterinary doctors and technicians, comprising 6,000 council members and 1,748 practitioners, received Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training. This training, conducted under the 'One Health' approach in partnership with the ministry across all 30 districts, equipped professionals to prevent disease transmission and manage outbreaks. Veterinarians were cautioned against malpractice, with strict instructions against consuming dead ruminant livestock and prohibiting livestock movement across district borders in quarantined provinces. Dr. Ntamugabumwe noted that containment efforts are showing positive results, with a decrease in positive cases, though vigilance remains high with ongoing refresher training and sample testing.

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Telesphore Ndabamenye, expressed optimism that the vaccination campaign, which has been ongoing for the past two months targeting cattle, goats, and sheep, will soon facilitate the resumption of livestock sales for meat, potentially stabilizing meat prices. He highlighted climate change as a factor contributing to the increased spread of livestock diseases, underscoring vaccination as vital for animal protection and restoring confidence in the market. Vaccinated animals are expected to develop immunity within approximately one month, and the campaign is already yielding positive outcomes. While the Minister stated that livestock supply for meat could resume soon, he did not provide specific figures on the number of livestock deaths or vaccinations. According to a MINAGRI report, Rwanda's estimated livestock population in 2025 included 1,727,913 cattle, between 1.9 million and 2.8 million goats, and around 601,836 sheep.