Letter to the Editor

Rift Valley Fever (RVF): is there a global concern on this emerging zoonotic and
vector-borne disease?
Juanita Gómez-Pérez,1 Valentina Londoño-Rodas,1 Carolina Hincapié-Gañan,1 Camila Saavedra-
Bustamante,1 Juan Alejandro Gaviria-Ramírez,1 Andrés Mauricio Patiño-Barbosa,2,3
Alfonso J. Rodríguez-Morales.1,2,3,4*
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda,
Colombia.
2School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia.
3Public Health and Infection Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda,

Colombia.
4Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo/UNIFRANZ, Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Rev Panam Enf Inf 2018; 1(1):51-52.

Received 1 August 2018 - Accepted 27 August 2018.

Copyright © 2018 Gómez-Pérez et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a disease caused by the with jaundice, neurological disease or hemorrhagic
Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV), which is member of the complications there is increased risk of death [7].
Bunyaviridae family, Phlebovirus genus. RVF a viral RVF is transmitted by arthropods. Vaccination helps
zoonosis that primarily affects animals but can also infect to minimize the severity and incidence of outbreaks in
humans. This one affects mainly domestic ruminants, the ruminant population. But the introduction of several
causing large epizootics, with high rates of lethality in vaccinated ruminants in areas free of this virus can
young animals and abortions in infected females [1]. The trigger an outbreak and this disease can become endemic
virus was first identified in 1931 during an investigation if there is a sustained use of live vaccines [8].
into an epidemic among sheep on a farm in the Rift The presence of these outbreaks and their increase
Valley of Kenya [2]. are associated with the “El Niño” phenomenon, which
This disease is currently present in Africa and in the increase the number of mosquitoes and allow a greater
Arabian Peninsula. However, different factors, such as spread of the disease are a matter of concern [3].
globalization and climate change have facilitated the Mosquitoes are excellent vectors for RVF, mainly
introduction of the virus into areas that were previously those from the genuses Culex and Aedes, which are
unrelated, through the vectors of animals or mosquitoes vectors of a large number of viruses (dengue,
as well human cases [3], as recently occur with an chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, equine encephalitis
imported case in China [4]. The consequences of its viruses) [9-12], with their implications for animal and
introduction depends on environmental factors, the human health.
availability of susceptible ruminants and the ability of RVF is considered a globally significant disease that
local mosquitoes to transmit the virus [3]. already affects both animals and humans.
In addition to animals, RVF affects humans in a In the case of animals, especially cattle animals, this
highly variable degree. Manifestations can be in a wide disease is characterized by a high level of abortions and
variety of clinical signs and symptoms and compromise lethality rates, the latter being 100% in neonates and 10%
including hepatitis, retinitis [5], delayed-onset to 20% in adult animals.
encephalitis, and in most cases, hemorrhagic disease. Knowledge about RVF risk areas is essential to
The global fatality rate is estimated between 0.5 and prevent and control this disease. It should be taken into
16% [3,6]. In the cases where the human patient develops account the fact that being a disease transmitted by
Gómez-Pérez – Rift Valley Fever: a concerning emerging zoonotic and vector-borne pathogen Rev Panam Enf Inf 2018; 1(1):51-52.

mosquitoes makes the association between RVF and 4. Shi Y, Zheng K, Li X, Li L, Li S, Ma J, et al. Isolation and
vector dynamics and its geographical distribution. phylogenetic study of Rift Valley fever virus from the first
imported case to China. Virologica Sinica. 2017 Jun;32(3):253-
The ecology of the vectors depends significantly on 6.
the environment, each mosquito species requires specific 5. Freed I. Rift valley fever in man, complicated by retinal changes
environmental conditions for development and survival, and loss of vision. South African medical journal = Suid-
such as the availability of water for the eggs, the Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde. 1951 Dec 15;25(50):930-
2.
temperature for the development of the aquatic stage or 6. Yassin W. Clinico-pathological picture in five human cases died
vegetation for some species [13]. with Rift Valley fever. The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health
On 2018, WHO releases its list of priority pathogens Association. 1978;53(3-4):191-3.
that have the potential to cause a public health 7. Kahlon SS, Peters CJ, Leduc J, Muchiri EM, Muiruri S, Njenga
emergency, given that for them there is no, or is MK, et al. Severe Rift Valley fever may present with a
characteristic clinical syndrome. The American journal of
insufficient, countermeasures, such as drugs and tropical medicine and hygiene. 2010 Mar;82(3):371-5.
vaccines that help control outbreaks. RVF was discussed 8. Chamchod F, Cosner C, Cantrell RS, Beier JC, Ruan S.
and considered for inclusion in the priority list, given the Transmission Dynamics of Rift Valley Fever Virus: Effects of
fact that poses a major public health risks and further Live and Killed Vaccines on Epizootic Outbreaks and Enzootic
Maintenance. Frontiers in microbiology. 2015;6:1568.
research and development is needed, including 9. Martinez-Pulgarin DF, Acevedo-Mendoza WF, Cardona-Ospina
surveillance and diagnostics. JA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Paniz-Mondolfi AE. A bibliometric
Experts considered that given their potential to cause analysis of global Zika research. Travel medicine and infectious
a public health emergency and the absence of efficacious disease. 2016 Jan-Feb;14(1):55-7.
drugs and/or vaccines, there is an urgent need for 10. Rodriguez-Morales AJ. Zika: the new arbovirus threat for Latin
America. Journal of infection in developing countries. 2015 Jul
accelerated research and development for RVF and other 4;9(6):684-5.
emerging and reemerging conditions [14]. 11. Musso D, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Levi JE, Cao-Lormeau VM,
As WHO warned, RVF should be watched carefully Gubler DJ. Unexpected outbreaks of arbovirus infections:
and efforts in research should lead to a better lessons learned from the Pacific and tropical America. The
Lancet Infectious diseases. 2018 Jun 19.
understanding and evidence-based information that 12. Alfaro-Toloza P, Clouet-Huerta DE, Rodriguez-Morales AJ.
would mitigate this emerging arboviral and zoonotic Chikungunya, the emerging migratory rheumatism. The Lancet
disease. Infectious diseases. 2015 May;15(5):510-2.
13. Pachka H, Annelise T, Alan K, Power T, Patrick K, Veronique
Acknowledgments C, et al. Rift Valley fever vector diversity and impact of
meteorological and environmental factors on Culex pipiens
This paper was developed in the context of the course dynamics in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Parasites & vectors.
Research IV (Investigación IV-VZ781), of the program 2016 Aug 8;9(1):434.
of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of Universidad 14. World Health Organization; List of Blueprint priority diseases.
Tecnológica de Pereira (Semester 2018-1). 2018 [cited 4-4-2018]; Available from:
www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/en/
Conflicts of Interest: Alfonso J. Rodríguez-Morales Corresponding Author: Alfonso J. Rodríguez-Morales.
participated as Expert Participant in The 2018 Annual Public Health and Infection Research Group, Faculty of Health
Review of the WHO R&D Blueprint Priority List of Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira,
Diseases, WHO HQ Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva, Risaralda, Colombia. Email: [email protected]
Switzerland, 6th and 7th February 2018.

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