Description of the situation
As of 23 October 2000, 443 cases with 85 deaths of Rift Valley fever were reported by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia. However, there appears to be a declining trend in the rate of occurrence of cases and deaths. All cases occurred in Jizan and Asir provinces and the disease has not spread to the north-west area of the country.
A joint technical team has been formed by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia and Yemen to control the outbreak.