Mauritania has confirmed its first death from Rift Valley Fever (RVF) since 2022, health authorities announced on Sunday.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the deceased was a citizen who had recently arrived from a neighbouring country. The patient, according to the ministry, “showed symptoms of a haemorrhagic fever, and laboratory tests confirmed infection with Rift Valley Fever.” The individual later died from complications linked to the virus.

Officials said 10 people who had direct contact with the deceased have been placed under quarantine. “None of the contacts has so far developed symptoms,” the statement added.

Rift Valley Fever, classified as a viral haemorrhagic disease, is transmitted primarily through mosquitoes or contact with the blood and bodily fluids of infected persons or animals.

The ministry recalled that the disease first appeared in Mauritania in 1998 and has resurfaced intermittently in subsequent years. The most recent outbreak in 2022 caused 23 deaths nationwide, based on government data.

Health officials noted that the virus remains a public health concern in parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans. They also stressed that no licensed vaccine currently exists for humans or animals.

The Ministry urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspected symptoms, while reaffirming that surveillance and preventive measures have been strengthened to contain possible spread.