In March, the US urged citizens to leave in the wake of an attack on tourists in southwest Uganda and expressed concern over the activities of extremist groups in the Great Lakes region. The new travel warning issued on Thursday said the security situation remained uncertain and US citizens should consider their own personal safety. Many of the refugees had fled the Ogaden war between Somalia and Ethiopia, which broke out in 1977. Scientists find way of predicting Rift Valley Fever A team of international scientists has discovered a way of using climate data to predict outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease, Rift Valley Fever, the BBC reported on Friday. Severe outbreaks occur about every five years, affecting both livestock and people.
Epidemics are most common after heavy rains, when the mosquitoes breed rapidly.
The BBC quoted the researchers as saying they believed they could predict outbreaks three months in advance using satellite imagery. This would allow time for preventive measures to be taken.