Rift Valley Fever Virus May Be More Perilous than Zika

While the Rift Valley fever virus has occurred mostly in cows in Sub Saharan Africa, hundreds of humans become infected each year in Africa and Saudi Arabia, causing flu like symptoms and liver problems. The mosquito that carries the virus has also been discovered in Europe and the Americas. 

Using infected rat and human placenta tissue, scientists have discovered how the virus may be more dangerous than Zika in the ways it affects the placenta. Unlike Zika, Rift Valley fever virus more directly infects “a specialized layer of cells that supports the region of the placenta where nutrients flow in” (Baumgaertner). Moreover, surprisingly, scientists have found that the disease infects rats’ placentas more than any other of their tissues. Two cases of infected human fetuses have been recorded: one infant was born with an enlarged liver and spleen while the other died in less than a week. 

The World Health Organization has called the virus a “potential public health emergency,” and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has planned to use $48 million to fund projects on developing vaccines for the Rift Valley fever virus and Chikungunya viruses. 

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/health/rift-valley-pregnancy-zika.html

-- Caroline Aung