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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th December 2018
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Rift Valley Fever Virus can be transmitted from mother to foetus in rats
Foetal death occurred in pups from infected yet asymptomatic dams.
First study to discover vertical transmission in species other than livestock

A study, published on ‘Science Advances’, states that it is the first study to demonstrate fatal vertically transmitted infection with Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) in a species other than livestock.

The research discovered direct placental infection with RVFV as a mechanism for vertical transmission and foetal demise in rats and suggests that the results now emphasise the possible impact of a future epidemic.

A pregnant rodent model was developed in the study in order to investigate how RVFV infection during pregnancy affects the foetus. It was found that infection in dams had a widespread viral distribution with preference for replication and tissue damage in the placenta; identifying direct placental infection as a mechanism for vertical transmission.

The study also found that the mortality rate of RVFV infection was greater in pregnant rats than non-pregnant rats, and that foetal death and significant congenital abnormalities occurred in pups from infected yet asymptomatic dams.

Pregnant women infected with RVFV has been associated with miscarriage. The researchers of this study state that their results suggest that even mild RVFV infection may still have a devastating impact on the developing foetus.

RVFV infection in humans results either from infected mosquitoes, or from contact with contaminated blood or organs with infected animals. To date, there have been known cases of human-to-human transmission of RVFV.    

The full study can be read here.



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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.