145666 Analysis of pathways for release of Rift Valley fever virus into domestic ruminant livestock, wild ruminants, and people in the continental United States

Monday, November 5, 2007: 2:30 PM

Thomas R. Kasari, DVM, DACVPM , Center for Animal Disease Information & Analysis, USDA-APHIS-VS Centers for Epidemiology & Animal Health, Fort Collins, CO
Deborah A. Carr, DVM, MPH , Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
Tracey V. Lynn, DVM, MS, DACVPM , National Center for National Animal Health Surveillance, National Surveillance Unit, USDA-APHIS-VS Centers for Epidemiology & Animal Health, Fort Collins, CO
J. Todd Weaver, DVM, DACVPM , National Center for National Animal Health Surveillance, National Surveillance Unit, USDA-APHIS-VS Centers for Epidemiology & Animal Health, Fort Collins, CO
     
Entry of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) into the US may occur from (1) importation of RVFV-infected animals, (2) entry of RVFV-infected people, (3) mechanical transport of RVFV-infected insect vectors, (4) intercontinental windborne transport of insect vectors or virus, and (5) smuggling of live virus. The feasiblity of each pathway was evaluated using governmental and public accessible data for calendar years, 2000-2005.

No RVFV-endemic African or Arabian Peninsula country exported domestic ruminant livestock to the US. Wild ruminants have been exported for zoological purposes. Nonhuman primates are frequently exported to the US. Whereas smuggling of wild or domestic ruminants does not occur, wild nonhuman primates are smuggled infrequently.

The majority of airline passengers (approximately 300,000 annually) originating from RVFV-endemic countries enter the US through international airports in NY, GA, MD, NJ, TX, and District of Columbia. Ninety nine different commodities flowed into the US by ocean-going vessels or air freight from 46 RVFV-endemic countries. Ports in NY, PA, and SC received the greatest volume of commodities shipped.

Meteorological conditions appear unfavorable for intercontinental windborne transport of insect vectors or virus. Lack of accessibility to intelligence sources prevented making a more informed decision about the viability of smuggled virus as a pathway.

Domestic ruminant livestock, wild ruminants, and/or citizens in 12 states (CA, FL, GA, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TX, and VA) appear to be most at risk for exposure to RVFV. White-tailed deer could be the first wildlife species to become infected with RVFV.

Learning Objectives:
1. List five potential pathways that could be a conduit for entry of Rift Valley fever virus into the US. 2. Analyze the feasibility of each potential pathway based on the quality and quantity of actual data obtained from governmental and public accessible data bases 3. Identify the states whose domestic ruminant livestock, wild ruminant, and human populations are at greatest risk for exposure to RVFV following its release in the US

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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