As part of the response to the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) epidemic, the Thiès Regional Epidemic Management Committee (CRGE) held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, October 29. Chaired by the governor, the meeting brought together all relevant stakeholders to discuss emergency measures to be implemented to curb this epidemic, which has already recorded two cases in Thiès.

"We convened this meeting to discuss the situation related to Rift Valley fever, which is affecting the whole country. In Thiès, we had one case under management and this morning a second case was confirmed. This justifies the urgency of reactivating the coordination framework for the management of the epidemic," said Governor Saër Ndao, who said the situation is currently under control.

During this emergency meeting, the focus was on reviewing response mechanisms, clarifying the roles of each actor, and strengthening coordination between human and animal health services and the hygiene service.

The governor emphasized that a community-based approach is preferred to help people understand what this disease is. "Rift Valley fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. It is therefore essential to intervene in both the livestock and human health sectors," stated Saër Ndao.

He then reassured everyone that awareness campaigns would be intensified in vulnerable areas: schools, universities, gathering places, barracks, etc. The goal is to encourage everyone to adopt the right behaviors, to become a source of information, and to reduce the pressure on healthcare workers. Because prevention begins with a well-informed population.

According to Dr. Aïda Diop, chief physician of the Regional Office for Immunization and Epidemiological Surveillance at the Regional Health Directorate of Thiès, the first case recorded in Thiès is in good health and the second is being monitored by specialists.

"Neither case requires hospitalization. These are mild forms of the disease. As soon as the first case was notified, medical teams, in collaboration with the hygiene brigade and the livestock sector, mobilized to ensure a rapid and effective response. Actions on the ground are underway to contain the disease and prevent its spread," she reassured.

Dr. Diop therefore advises people to avoid consuming unpasteurized milk, not to consume raw or undercooked meat, to eliminate stagnant water to limit larval breeding grounds and to sleep under impregnated mosquito nets.