Ministry spokesman Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani told Arab News on Friday that the 40-year-old victim, who had returned to Najran after spending two days along the Red Sea coast, tested positive for the disease when he was admitted to Najran Hospital suffering from a hemorrhagic fever on Sunday.

He was discharged on Wednesday after being treated for four days, Al-Mirghalani said.

RVF is a virus that mainly affects animals but can also be transmitted to humans.

Symptoms are severe for both animals and humans and can lead to death. RVF also carries a severe economic effect as livestock affected by the disease usually need to be culled.

Al-Mirghalani added that the ministry is keen to announce such incidents as they happen in order to ensure the transparency advocated by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan.

He added that the ministry was working with the Ministry of Agriculture to keep a close watch on vulnerable areas such as the provinces of Najran, Asir and Jazan.

He added that health directors and agricultural authorities south of the country have been instructed to introduce preventive measures against RVF.

Farmers dealing with livestock will be closely scrutinized by health officials, he said, adding that there will be an intensive spraying of insecticides against mosquitoes in the area.

Preventive measures against RVF are also expected to include restrictions placed on the movement of livestock and a campaign to reduce contact with sick animals and mosquitoes, which includes the provision of free mosquito nets.

Anyone suffering from a fever is being encouraged to seek medical help, while health-care providers are being advised on how to manage suspected cases.

In 2000, the Health Ministry and its Yemeni counterpart received reports of unexplained hemorrhagic fever in humans and mysterious animal deaths near the southwestern border separating the two countries.

Those infected displayed symptoms including a mild fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice, which sometimes progressed to blood clotting, deterioration in kidney function and death.

Around 316 people in Jazan and Najran were affected by the disease that year.

According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, the vast majority of cases contract RVF from either direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals.

The virus can be transmitted to humans through the handling of animal tissue during slaughtering or butchering, assisting with animal births, conducting veterinary procedures, or from the disposal of carcasses or fetuses.