Rift Valley Fever Virus: An update on current status and future prospects

Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) belonging to the genus Phlebovirus. This virus causes febrile or hemorrhagic illness in humans and ruminants, such as abortion, and death; especially in young sheep, cattle, and goats resulting in devastating epidemics in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The WHO has included this virus in Bluepoint's list of eight pathogens. This virus is a crucial health concern in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as the Kingdom is regularly exposed to this virus from the original source of East African countries. A complete understanding of viral pathogenesis, epidemiology, antiviral therapeutics, and human vaccines is still lacking. This review aims to provide an update on the status, pathogenesis, prevalence, challenges, and future prospects of RVFV in the KSA. The information provided will aid in the design and development of disease management strategies and novel prophylactic and therapeutic measures to control the infection and disease progression of RVFV in both humans and animals.