Pathogenesis of Rift Valley Fever in Humans

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an important zoonotic disease in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and the potential spread into non-endemic countries may cause a large economic loss and persistence of infected mosquito vectors in the area. The nonstructural (NSs) protein is dispensable for viral life cycle, but it is required for suppression of the host antiviral responses and, as such is a major virulence factor of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). Vertical transmission in mosquitoes and viral transmission between animals and mosquitoes allows RVFV to persist in endemic areas in Africa. Early diagnosis is imperative for the containment of RVFV spread during outbreaks. It may also support the decision of slaughtering, vaccination, and/or use of antivirals for animals and humans. Ribavirin is a broadspectrum antiviral therapy used for the treatment of several hemorrhagic viruses. Vaccination is probably the most effective way to prevent the spread of RVFV.