Advances in Rift Valley fever research: insights for disease prevention.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to review recent research on Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection, encompassing four main areas: epidemiology and outbreak prediction, viral pathogenesis, human diagnostics and therapeutics, and vaccine and therapeutic candidates.


RESULTS
RVFV continues to extend its range in Africa and the Middle East. Better definition of RVFV-related clinical syndromes and human risk factors for severe disease, combined with early-warning systems based on remote-sensing, simplified rapid diagnostics, and tele-epidemiology, hold promise for earlier deployment of effective outbreak control measures. Advances in understanding of viral replication pathways and host cell-related pathogenesis suggest means for antiviral therapeutics and for more effective vaccination strategies based on genetically engineered virus strains or subunit vaccines.


CONCLUSIONS
RVFV is a significant health and economic burden in many areas of Africa, and remains a serious threat to other parts of the world. Development of more effective methods for RVFV outbreak prevention and control remains a global health priority.
LaBeaud
A Desiree
AD
Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA. alabeaud@chori.org
Kazura
James W
JW
King
Charles H
CH
D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D017216:Telemedicine; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods
D014765:Viral Vaccines