Rift Valley Fever – Webinar

Rift Valley Fever (RVF), a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by a phlebovirus (family Bunyaviridae), is considered as one of the most important viral zoonoses in Africa. RVF affects both livestock and humans, and is transmitted by mosquitoes or direct contact with infected biological material during viraemia.
The disease was historically confined to the African continent, but recently spread to the Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean. Animal movements and global warming strongly contribute to viral spread, threatening the Mediterranean basin and Europe, where competent vectors are present. Given the unpredictability of virus introduction and uncertainties about RVF epidemiology, there is an urgent need to fill the scientific gaps by developing large regional research programmes to build predictive models and to implement early warning systems and surveillance designs adapted to Northern African and European countries.
This webinar aims to provide an update on the current epidemiological scenario of the RVF, with a special focus to the zoonotic characteristics of the disease and how vectors spread infection in livestock and wildlife. Participants will stand upon the news and innovations regarding recent diagnostic methods and procedures of prevention and control of the disease, particularly vaccination. This webinar aims to increase the awareness of participants to fulfill the One Health concept.