Rift Valley Fever and Other Phleboviruses (Bunyaviridae)☆

The Phlebovirus genus is one of the five genera of the family Bunyaviridae. In this genus are classified viruses previously known as ‘Phlebotomus fever viruses’ and Uukuviruses. Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV), the prototype of Phlebovirus genus is considered to be one of the most important viral zoonoses in Africa. Transmission of the virus to humans is thought to occur by arthropod vectors, aerosols of blood, or other direct contact with infected animals. RVFV in humans manifests a spectrum of disease ranging from asymptomatic infection to a severe illness. RVFV outbreaks can result in devastating economic losses when livestock in an agricultural society are affected. A number of different viruses classified in the Phlebotomus fever group have been isolated from sand flies and/or humans in both the Old and New World. Classic phlebotomus fever caused by Sandfly Fever Naples and Sicilian viruses is a mild, self-resolving, flu-like illness. Toscana virus, isolated in Italy in 1971 presents neurovirulence, a characteristic that it shares with the RVFV. Clinical cases with signs and symptoms ranging from aseptic meningitis to meningoencephalitis caused by TOSV are yearly observed during the summer in Mediterranean regions.