Risk evaluation of Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) lineages and their public health impact

Overview

This risk evaluation summarizes current evidence on Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus, provides a risk evaluation based on the latest evidence, assesses the public health risk posed by currently circulating RVF viruses, highlights key evidence on control measures, identifies existing knowledge gaps, recommends priority studies. This risk evaluation draws on knowledge gained through recent outbreaks and analyses from the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and partners.

In summary, currently, there is no available evidence to suggest that RVFV evolution is causing increased virulence, immune escape, vaccine failure, or diagnostic escape. The main challenges for RVFV remain in efforts for preparedness, surveillance, sustained preventive vaccination of livestock in hotspot areas, and early warning rather than viral evolution itself.