Preliminary evaluation of the susceptibility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to Rift Valley Fever Virus

Authors: Wilson, William - Bill; KIM, IN JOONG - Kansas State University; TRUJILLO, JESSIE - Kansas State University; SUNWOO, SUN YOUNG - Kansas State University; Noronha, Leela; URBANIAK, KINGA - Kansas State University; McVey, David; Drolet, Barbara; MOROZOV, IGOR - Kansas State University; FABURAY, BONTO - Kansas State University; Schirtzinger, Erin; KOOPMAN, TAMMY - Kansas State University; INDRAN, SABARISH - Kansas State University; BALARAMAN, VELMURUGAN - Kansas State University; RICHT, JUERGEN - Kansas State University

Submitted to: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2018
Publication Date: 9/1/2018
Citation: Wilson, W.C., Kim, I., Trujillo, J., Sunwoo, S., Noronha, L.E., Urbaniak, K., Mcvey, D.S., Drolet, B.S., Morozov, I., Faburay, B., Schirtzinger, E.E., Koopman, T., Indran, S., Balaraman, V., Richt, J. 2018. Preliminary evaluation of the susceptibility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to Rift Valley Fever Virus. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 24(9):1717-1719. http://doi.org/10.3201/eid2409.180265.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2409.180265

Interpretive Summary: This study assessed the potential of white-tailed deer which, are abundant in the U.S. to infection by an mosquito-borne virus, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). This virus is not present in the U.S. but poses a significant livestock and human health risk if introduced into the U.S.

Technical Abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an exotic zoonotic arbovirus that poses a significant livestock and human health risk if introduced into the U.S. White-tailed deer (WTD) are abundant throughout the U.S.; therefore, WTD susceptibility to RVFV was determined, providing evidence for a potentially significant epidemiologic role of WTD populations.