Since September 2025, Senegal and Mauritania have been facing an unusually severe outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF), affecting both human and animal populations across multiple districts along the Senegal River Valley. Both Senegal and Mauritania have declared the outbreak as a public health and animal health emergency, with the risk to human and animal health assessed as high at national level and moderate at regional level.
This EPI-WIN webinar will raise global and regional awareness of the community protection dimensions of the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreaks and response so that these are consistently reflected in response operations and research priorities. It will help ensure that future interventions are better aligned with community realities and strengthen trust, participation, and protection at local level.
Objectives
- To raise awareness of Rift Valley fever (RVF) and provide an update on the current outbreak in Senegal and Mauritania,
- To highlight the community protection dimensions of RVF prevention and control, with a focus on community engagement, communication, and social protection,
- To identify practical actions and evidence gaps where community-centred approaches can strengthen outbreak response.
Speakers
Introduction of EPI-WIN, housekeeping, introduction to topic and speakers: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
What is RVF and what is happening in this current outbreak, WHO
Community protection – key issues from outbreaks past and present, WHO
Community protection issues, WHO
Closing: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO