Below is an article published by Reuters AlertNet:

Authorities in Tanzania's semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar on Friday [06 April 2007] imposed a ban on the importation of farm animals and meat in a bid to keep the islands free of Rift Valley Fever (RVF), a livestock disease that also affects humans.

One RVF outbreak, mainly in the central region of mainland Tanzania, claimed the lives of an estimated 40 people, and infected roughly 150 others since December 2006.

The principal secretary in Zanzibar's agriculture and livestock ministry, Rahma Mshangama, told reporters that the government had imposed an indefinite ban on the importation of livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, camels and meat.

"Let us be patient and stop importing meat and animals to save our lives, although we are aware that some Zanzibaris will be affected economically," she said.

Food hawkers will not be allowed to sell roast and fried meat in the streets, and the slaughter of livestock for religious and other ceremonies will only be permitted under the supervision of officials from the livestock department.

"Any person convicted of violating the ban is liable for a jail term of not less that six months or a fine of US $5,000, or both," she added. Mshangama said her ministry was preparing to have all livestock on the islands vaccinated against RVF.

An RVF outbreak in nearby Kenya killed dozens of people between December 2006 and February 2007. The livelihoods of many pastoralists in the northern and eastern areas of the country were adversely affected after the government imposed a ban on livestock trade in an effort to control the spread of the disease.

The RVF virus is spread to humans from livestock via the aedes mosquito, which breeds rapidly during floods. It can be transmitted through contact with infected animal material, such as blood or organs. Consumption of milk, a staple for many pastoral people, is also thought to lead to infection. Symptoms in humans include bleeding through the nose and mouth, and liver failure.