WHO EPI-WIN Webinar: Rift Valley Fever and Community Protection
The WHO EPI-WIN webinar focuses on raising both global and regional awareness about community protection in response to Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreaks. It aims to integrate these protection aspects consistently into response operations and research priorities.
The initiative seeks to enhance the alignment of future interventions with community realities, reinforcing trust, participation, and local protection efforts.
Current Outbreak Situation
Since September 2025, Senegal and Mauritania have been experiencing a severe Rift Valley Fever outbreak, impacting humans and animals across several districts along the Senegal River Valley. Both nations have declared public and animal health emergencies.
The overall health risk is considered high nationally and moderate regionally.
Webinar Agenda Highlights
- Introduction to EPI-WIN and its role in science and knowledge translation (WHO)
- Overview of current RVF outbreak and scientific context (WHO)
- Discussion on community protection lessons from past and ongoing outbreaks (WHO)
- Closing remarks from the EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation team (WHO)
“The webinar will help ensure that future interventions are aligned with local realities, strengthening community trust, participation, and protection.”
Purpose
The webinar’s goal is to ensure that the human and community dimensions of RVF responses are recognized as vital to effective pandemic preparedness and resilience.
Author’s Summary: The WHO EPI-WIN webinar strengthens global understanding of Rift Valley Fever’s community impacts and promotes coordinated, locally grounded outbreak responses.