An outbreak of Rift Valley fever has killed up to 100 people in Sudan and is threatening the lives of many more. For humans, contracting Rift Valley fever is often fatal, as there is no effective vaccine and the disease is easily spread from animals to people.

Australian parents need to be educated about managing fever in young children because many give medication incorrectly and often unnecessarily, according to a Queensland University of Technology nursing researcher.

NHS policy changes may be contributing to problems recognising serious illness in feverish young children, warns a senior doctor in this week’s BMJ.