Risk of Exposure

sheep

Spending time in rural areas and sleeping outdoors at night in regions where outbreaks of RVF occur could be risk factors for exposure to mosquitoes and other insect vectors. People who work with or butcher/handle raw meat from potentially-infected animals in RVF-endemic areas (areas where the virus is known to occur) have an increased risk for infection. This could include animal herdsmen and farmers, abattoir (slaughterhouse) workers, veterinarians, and other people who work with animals and animal products. Laboratory workers who may be exposed to the RVF virus may also be at risk.

International travelers increase their chances of exposure to the virus when they visit RVF-endemic locations during periods when sporadic cases or outbreaks are occurring.