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Notable Events in Bunyavirus History

1910: Isolation of Nairovirus

A virus of the Nairovirus genus was first isolated from the blood of sheep with acute gastroenteritis in Nairobi, Kenya.

1931: Isolation of Rift Valley Fever virus in Kenya

In the paper "Enzootic Hepatitis or Rift Valley Fever: An Undescribed Virus Disease of Sheep Cattle and Man from East Africa," R. Daubney, J. Hudson, and P. Garnham describe the identification of the virus. This research team was tasked with diagnosing a disease that had been leading to deaths of newly-born lambs in the Kenyan Rift Valley, north of the shore of Lake Naivasha. In particular, it was noted that afflicted lambs had high fevers, did not survive for more than 24 hours past the first appearance of symptoms, and the livers of these lambs had severe necrosis. Following subsequent studies in sheep, Daubney et al. were able  to isolate the virus and suggest that mosquitoes are the vectors for transmission. However, despite the identification of the virus, it was not classified as a member of the Phlebovirus genus until later. 

 

For the primary text of the original paper detailing this important discovery, refer to the following text:

Daubney R, Hudson JR, Garnham PC (1931). Enzootic hepatitis or Rift Valley Fever. An undescribed virus disease of sheep, cattle, and man from East Africa. J Path Bact 34: 545-579

Mid 1940s: Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak

During the mid 1940s, there was an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever among agricultural workers in the Crimean peninsula; later, this would be identified as a virus from the Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) group.

1943: Bunyamwera virus isolated in Uganda

In western Uganda, Smithburn et al. isolated the Bunyamwera virus (of the Orthobunyavirus genus) from mosquitoes of the Aedes species. This African virus, which only is associated with causing minor illnesses, went on to be classified as the type virus of its genus. The virus is named after the region in Uganda where it was isolated

 

The original paper can be accessed given the following information:

Smithburn, K.C. et al., (1946) Amer. J. Trop. Med. 26:189.

1950-1951: South African zoonotic bunyavirus 

In South Africa, a zoonotic bunyavirus led to the death of 100,00 sheep and further abortions of 500,000 sheep.

 

1951: Outbreak in North and South Korea

In North and South Korea, there was an outbreak of hantavirus that led to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

 

1959: Akabane virus first isolated

Akabane virus was isolated from mosquitoes and then subsequently recognized in zoonotic epidemics between 1972 to 1974

 

1960: First La Crosse Virus Fatality in the United States

In La Crosse, Wisconsin, there was a fatality due to infection with La Crosse Virus, which led to death via the La Crosse encephalitis syndrome. Since 1960, there have been at least 1,000 cases reported of La Cross virus infection in the United States.

 

1975: A New Family Name

The family was officially given the name Bunyaviridae.

 

1977: Egyptian Outbreak

Rift Valley Fever virus infections in Egypt led to 200,000 estimated cases

 

1987: Cache Valley virus identification

Cache valley virus, a member of the Orthobunyavirus genus, was first described as an etiological agent of death for sheep in Texas.

1993: Sin Nombre Virus Outbreak

In May 1993, there was an outbreak of a pulmonary illness in the "Four Corners" geographic region shared by Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. In November 193, the specific hantavirus was isolated and identified by researchers at the Special Pathogens Branch at the CDC.

2009: Outbreak of SFTS Virus in China

Since 2009, there were several cases of fever, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), leukocytopenia (low white blood cell count), and elevated liver enzyme levels in rural areas of central and northeastern China. In 2009, the SFTS (severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus) was isolated in China.  In 2010, surveillance for the viral etiological agent was increased, and since then, more research has been continually conducted about the virus.

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