The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Mauritania declared an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) on 4 October 2012. From 16 September 2012 (the date of onset of the index case) to 30 October 2012, a total of 34 cases, including 17 deaths have been reported from 6 regions.

The last case was notified on the 27 October 2012 from Magta Lahjar in the Brakna region.

The 6 regions include Assaba, Brakna, Hodh Chargui, Hodh Gharbi, Tagant and Trarza. All the cases had history of contact with animals reports the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In humans, 25 samples tested positive by ELISA and PCR at the National Reference Laboratory of the National Institute of Public Health Research (INRS) in Nouakchott and at the Institut Pasteur in Dakar. In the animal population, analysis conducted by the National Veterinary Research Laboratory shows virus circulation in several regions of the country.