Chapter 122 - Bunyavirales

Abstract

The constant evolution of viruses and the emergence and reemergence of viral infections have exerted tremendous pressure on the public health systems. Indeed, the Bunyavirales order, which includes a number of highly pathogenic viruses, has been challenging the human public health system with a wide range of infections worldwide, in addition, to global threat to the livestock trade. The World Health Organization has declared some of the viruses in the Bunyavirales order as potential biological weapons and listed these viruses as high-priority pathogens. Currently, there are no available Bunyaviruses vaccines or antiviral therapies approved by the American Food and Drug Administration for human use. More than 480 viruses have been included in the Bunyavirales order which has been divided into 13 viral families. Of these families, five (Arenaviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Nairoviridae, Phenuiviridae, and Hantaviridae) have been associated with human diseases ranging from mild to severe disease. Important members of these families that have impacted humans health and economy include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (Nairoviridae), Rift Valley fever virus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (Phenuiviridae), Hantaan virus, Andes virus, Sin Nombre virus (Hantaviridae), La Crosse virus, Schmallenberg virus, Oropouche virus (Peribunyaviridae), Lassa virus, and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus (Arenaviridae). This chapter aimed at discussing the current literature on the relevant members of the Bunyavirales order, their genetic makeup and replication, key family members, transmission, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment and prevention options.