Rift Valley Fever is a viral disease of cattle and sheep that was first discovered in the Rift Valley of Kenya. The disease is spread to livestock through the bite of infected mosquitoes during years of heavy rainfall. The disease causes high death rates in young animals and abortions in older animals. Outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever have caused famine in endemic areas.
Rift Valley Fever is zoonotic, meaning that it can spread to people through contact with infected livestock. In addition to airborne spread of the virus, humans can become infected through handling undercooked meat, blood or raw milk. Rift Valley Fever is typically mild in humans but can be severe.