Seminar

Developing vaccines against Rift Valley fever

Alejandro Brun,PhD

There is a general public concern regarding emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases, which has gained new relevance in light of global warming. This is especially true considering the spread of vector-borne diseases such as Rift Valley fever (RVF) a mosquito-borne viral disease of ruminants and wild animals also affecting humans. Toghether with integrated control measures including vector control, improved therapy strategies, diagnostic tools and surveillance and public awareness, an improvement of current vaccines is of outmost interest. Up to date several candidate vaccines have been assayed in experimental trials. We are testing the efficacy of DNA based vaccines using mouse models supporting RVF virus infection, also combining this approach with the use of viral vectors such as the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) strain. Using these strategies a varying degree of protection was obtained, indicating that some of the approaches may be applicable for both livestock and, considering its established safety profile, also for humans.