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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.