Rift valley fever causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aakash Hans, MD[2]

Rift valley fever is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Bunyaviridae family. The virus is contracted by humans via exposure to animals exhibiting symptoms of RVF or via mosquito bites. Farmers and herdsman may be exposed to body fluids of animals with Rift valley fever, which is another source of infection for humans.

• RVF is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus or RVFV, which belongs to the Bunyaviridae family.
• The genetic composition of the virus is a single-stranded RNA consisting of three segments (L, M and S) out of which L and M possess a negative charge while the S segment has both sense and antisense orientation.^[1]
• The virus’ RNA polymerase is coded by the L component which is responsible for replication and transcription of messenger RNA (mRNA) while glycoproteins and protein are encoded via the M segment. ^[2]
• Nucleoproteins and non-structural proteins are coded by the S segment in its antisense and sense orientation respectively.

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  High magnification transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals some of the ultrastructural morphology seen in an unknown tissue sample, which had been caused by the spherical-shaped, enveloped Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. Virions budding from the cell membrane are indicated by arrowheads. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). ^[3]
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  Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicts a highly magnified view of a tissue that had been infected with Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). ^[3]

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