Rift Valley Fever: An emerging zoonosis in a globalized age

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Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis in Africa and the Middle East. RVF is caused by a negative-strand RNA virus that is naturally transmitted by mosquito, direct contact with infected animals or tissues, and by aerosol. Globalization and tropism for multiple mosquito species increases the likelihood that RVF could spread beyond traditionally endemic areas. In Africa, RVF emerges periodically with considerable mortality in livestock causing abortion ‘storms’ in pregnant animals with tremendous economic impact to the region. Humans contract RVF typically from exposure to infected animals or carcasses. Most humans develop an acute febrile disease of 1-2 weeks duration. A subset of patients develops severe disease which can manifest with hepatic, hemorrhagic, or encephalitic symptoms. Ocular disease can also occur, resulting in blindness. No vaccines or licensed antivirals exist for treatment of RVF. This special issue will include articles discussing transmission, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of RVF.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis in Africa and the Middle East. RVF is caused by a negative-strand RNA virus that is naturally transmitted by mosquito, direct contact with infected animals or tissues, and by aerosol. Globalization and tropism for multiple mosquito species increases the likelihood that RVF could spread beyond traditionally endemic areas. In Africa, RVF emerges periodically with considerable mortality in livestock causing abortion ‘storms’ in pregnant animals with tremendous economic impact to the region. Humans contract RVF typically from exposure to infected animals or carcasses. Most humans develop an acute febrile disease of 1-2 weeks duration. A subset of patients develops severe disease which can manifest with hepatic, hemorrhagic, or encephalitic symptoms. Ocular disease can also occur, resulting in blindness. No vaccines or licensed antivirals exist for treatment of RVF. This special issue will include articles discussing transmission, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of RVF.

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University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh

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Frontiers in Microbiology

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Frontiers in Plant Science

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