Rift Valley Fever: a Threat to Pregnant Women Hiding in Plain Sight?

J Virol. 2021 Apr 12;95(9):e01394-19. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01394-19. Print 2021 Apr 12.

Abstract

The potential for emerging mosquito-borne viruses to cause fetal infection in pregnant women was overlooked until the Zika fever outbreak several years ago. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging arbovirus with a long history of fetal infection and death in pregnant livestock. The effect of RVFV infection on pregnant women is not well understood. This Gem examines the effects that this important emerging pathogen has during pregnancy, its potential impact on pregnant women, and the current research efforts designed to understand and mitigate adverse effects of RVFV infection during pregnancy.

Keywords: Rift Valley fever virus; bunyavirus; fetal infection; in utero; pregnancy; vertical transmission.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / virology
  • Rift Valley Fever* / epidemiology
  • Rift Valley Fever* / virology
  • Rift Valley fever virus / pathogenicity*
  • Viral Zoonoses / epidemiology