Rift Valley Fever - A Neglected Pathogenic Virus of Camelidae

New World camels and dromedary camels can contract Rift Valley Fever with severe consequences. RVF has not been documented in Bactrian camels. RVF outbreaks are regularly observed after heavy rains in many different African countries and has also entered Saudi Arabia affecting human beings and livestock in 2000. RVF epidemics regularly cause serious economic hardship to animal owners due to loss in production and fatalities. The virus causes abortion storms in dromedary camels at all stages of pregnancy and systemic disease in young stock has been reported. RVF virus has been isolated during the RVF outbreak in Mauritania in 2010. Inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines are available, but have not been scientifically evaluated for use in camelids.