Causes, Transmission, And Risk Factors Of Rift Valley Fever
Rift Valley fever is an emerging disease of humans and domesticated livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle. The causative agent is Rift Valley fever virus, a member of the Bunyaviridae family of RNA viruses. It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and part of the Arabian peninsula. The virus was first identified after a 1931 outbreak at a Kenyan sheep farm. The virus is highly lethal in young livestock, often presenting as hemorrhagic fever and will induce abortions in pregnant animals. In humans, it usually causes a mild disease with flu-like symptoms. In a minority of patients, serious complications develop, chief among these are hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis. Learn the details on the causes, transmission methods, and risk factors of Rift Valley fever now.