Rift Valley fever, a bunyavirus infection of Egypt and east Africa spread by mosquitoes or by handling infected sheep, buffalo, goats, camels, and cattle. Those individuals infected with RVF virus typically exhibit no symptoms or a mild illness that involves fever and abnormalities of the liver. It is characterized by abrupt fever, chills, headache, and generalized aching, followed by epigastric pain, anorexia, loss of taste, and photophobia. Retinitis may cause vision loss in 1% to 10% of cases. The disease is of short duration; recovery occurs typically after 2 days to a week and is usually complete. There is no specific treatment. A killed virus vaccine that provides protection for 2 years is available in the United States for those at risk, such as laboratory workers and veterinarians.
