Rift Valley Fever Virus and Other Phleboviruses (Phenuiviridae)

The genus Phlebovirus within the family Phenuiviridae consists of at least 100 known viruses, including the approved ten viral species Bujaru, Candiru, Chilibre, Frijoles, Mukawa, Punta Toro, Rift Valley fever, Salehabad, Sandfly fever Naples, and Uukuniemi phlebovirus. Recently, three highly pathogenic tick-borne phleboviruses were reclassified into the genus Banyangvirus (i.e., Huaiyangshan, Guertu, and Heartland banyangvirus). Pathogenicity and patterns of transmission vary among phleboviruses. In addition to self-limiting phlebotomus fever caused by various sandfly-borne phleboviruses, severe diseases caused by Rift Valley fever virus, Toscana virus, or banyangviruses are of public health concerns. This article summarizes virology, pathogenicity, and the vector-host relationship of diverse phleboviruses and banyangviruses.