Normalized Difference Vegetation Images show good mosquito-breeding grounds in December 1997 FAO warns of high risk that disease will spread FAO considers the epidemic an international emergency and warns that it could spread. The southern and southeastern areas of Ethiopia are at very serious and immediate risk of spread of the disease. FAO Animal Health Officer, Peter Roeder, travelled to Kenya on 16 January to work with the Kenya Veterinary Services and WHO experts in putting together a clearer overall picture of the situation. He will also visit Ethiopia to put authorities on the alert. Experts consider that vaccination in the face of established RVF epidemics has usually been applied too late to avert them or prevent considerable losses from occurring.
Prophylactic immunization remains the only effective means of protecting livestock.
FAO is advocating prediction of the emergence of RVF epidemics as the best form of prevention. Monitoring of livestock can indicate periods of increased viral activity. Preventive immunization of livestock could then be carried out in time to avert the most serious consequences.