In response to the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak affecting Senegal, the World Health Organization is playing a central role in coordinating and supporting the national response. To better understand the challenges of this response and the actions being taken on the ground, we spoke with Dr. Hilde F. Okou-Bisso, WHO Incident Manager for this health emergency.

A physician specializing in public health emergency preparedness and response, Dr. Okou-Bisso serves as an Emergency Officer at the WHO office in Senegal. In the context of the current Rift Valley fever outbreak, he is acting as Incident Manager, responsible for coordinating all WHO actions on a daily basis. In this role, he is responsible for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of response operations, working closely with national health authorities and technical and financial partners.

From the moment the first cases appeared, the WHO joined the national response mechanism, supporting the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene. The organization participated in coordination mechanisms, contributed to national epidemic management bodies, and conducted joint field missions alongside other stakeholders. This support was based on daily analysis of the epidemiological situation, the regular production of bulletins, and capacity building for epidemiologists and healthcare professionals, particularly regarding case definition and medical management.

The response also included concrete support for healthcare facilities. Through its emergency hub, the WHO delivered over 850 kg of medical supplies to the Health Emergency Operations Centre, enabling the care of thousands of patients over several months. This logistical effort was complemented by the provision of fully equipped ambulances, essential equipment such as oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters, and medications for treating both mild and severe forms of the disease.

In a context marked by the zoonotic nature of Rift Valley fever, the response relied on a multisectoral approach. Dr. Okou-Bisso emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the human, animal, and environmental health sectors, in accordance with the "One Health" approach. Regular information sharing and coordinated actions have strengthened surveillance, guided interventions in at-risk areas, and ensured a coherent response to a disease closely linked to environmental dynamics and transhumance movements.

Risk communication and community engagement were another essential pillar of the response. Early on, WHO supported health authorities in working with communities, convinced that public support was crucial to curbing the spread of the disease. In collaboration with the National Health and Social Education and Information Service, efforts were made to adapt messages to local realities, disseminate reliable information in national languages, and combat misinformation. Community radio stations, religious and community leaders, outreach caravans, and audiovisual tools were mobilized to promote protective behaviors and build trust.

Infection prevention and control also received particular attention. The WHO supported health facilities by providing personal protective equipment and training to improve the safety of healthcare workers and the management of biomedical waste, thereby reducing the risk of transmission within facilities.

Today, while the epidemiological situation shows signs of improvement, vigilance remains essential. For Dr. Okou-Bisso, it is crucial to maintain close surveillance of at-risk areas, continue actions in affected regions, and strengthen preparedness in those not yet affected. Beyond managing the current epidemic, he emphasizes the need to capitalize on the lessons learned from this response in order to more effectively anticipate future health emergencies.

In conclusion, Dr. Okou-Bisso reaffirmed the WHO's unwavering commitment to the Senegalese government. This collaboration, based on solidarity, technical expertise, and multisectoral coordination, serves to protect populations and sustainably strengthen the health system in the face of epidemic threats.