South Africa : Tribute to young vet who died of Rift fever

Via The Herald, a sad story, read the whole article, excerpt :

" KABEGA Park church was filled to overflowing this week as grief- stricken family and friends paid their last tributes to a beautiful young Cradock veterinarian who died of Rift Valley fever.

Former Framesby High School headgirl Dr Anje Pretorius, 27, died at Port Elizabeth’s St George’s Hospital last week after a 24-day coma, dashing hopes she would recover from the disease she fought so hard to combat as Cradock’s state vet.

Vets from all over South Africa who had studied with Anje in Pretoria flew down for her funeral and a Facebook page dedicated to the cheerful young woman is brimming with tributes.

Speaking to Weekend Post, her devastated father, Cobus Pretorius, of Van der Stel, PE, said his beloved daughter had taken the utmost precaution when carrying out autopsies on farm animals suspected of being infected with the disease.

Pretorius said she had been “scared” of contracting Rift Valley fever, which can be passed on to humans who come into contact with the tissue of infected animals. He said she had complained of flu symptoms but tests had repeatedly come back negative for the disease, which is spread among animals by mosquitoes."