The Ministry of Health MoH notified WHO that between 13 September and 1 October 2020 eight cases of Rift Valley Fever RVF including seven deaths were confirmed in animal breeders Districts affected include Tidjikja and Moudj ria Tagant region Guerou Assaba region and Chinguetty Adrar region Laboratory confirmation of RVF infection was performed using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction RT PCR at the National Institute for Public Health Research INRSP in Nouakchott The age of infected patients varied between 16 and 70 years old and included one woman and seven men All seven deaths occurred among hospitalised patients with fever and haemorrhagic syndrome petechia gingivorrhagia and vomiting Between 4 September and 7 November 2020 a total of 214 people were sampled and their samples have been sent to the INRSP for laboratory testing with a total of 75 testing positive for RVF RT PCR and serology by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ELISA Positive cases have been reported in 11 of 15 regions of the country Brakna Trarza Gorgol on the border with Senegal Adrar Assaba Hodh El Gharby Hodh El Chargui Guidimaka on the border with Mali and Nouakchott Sud Nouakchott Ouest and Tagant The Tagant region is the most affected 38 75 51 with principal hotspot districts being Tidjikja and Moudjeria Thus far a total of 25 deaths have been reported from this outbreak