Rift Valley fever virus


Rift Val·ley fe·ver vi·rus

a virus of the genus Phlebovirus (family Bunyaviridae) that occurs in central and southern Africa in sheep, goats, and cattle, causing abortions and severe febrile disease, especially in young lambs; humans, especially herdsmen and veterinarians, may become infected through close contact with infected animals, developing a denguelike disease; the virus also infects buffaloes, camels, and antelope; it is mosquito borne, but also probably infects by contact and respiratory tract. [Rift Valley, Kenya]