A Systematic Scoping Study of the Socio‐Economic Impact of Rift Valley Fever: Research Gaps and Needs

Abstract

Impacts• Overview of the different types of socio-economic impact induced by Rift Valley fever disease is presented with a description of their broad characteristics.• Studies on the socio-economic impact of RVF are scarce and mostly based only on partial cost-analysis, however the figures provided point out clearly significant impact.• Recommendations on the needs for research on the socio-economic impact of RVF are discussed, along with potential tools to apply and outputs of such studies in terms of improvement of RVF disease management. SummaryRift Valley fever (RVF) is a severe mosquito-borne disease affecting humans and domestic ruminants. RVF virus has been reported in most African countries, as well as in the Arabic Peninsula. This paper reviews the different types of socio-economic impact induced by RVF disease and the attempts to evaluate them. Of the 52 papers selected for this review, 13 types of socio-economic impact were identified according to the sector impacted, the level and temporal scale of the impact. RVF has a dramatic impact on producers and livestock industries, affecting public and animal health, food security and the livelihood of the pastoralist communities. RVF also has an impact on international trade and other agro-industries. The risk of introducing RVF into disease-free countries via the importation of an infected animal or mosquito is real, and the consequent restriction of access to export markets may induce dramatic economic consequences for national and local economies. Despite the important threat of RVF, few studies have been conducted to assess the socio-economic impact of the disease. The 17 studies identified for quantitative analysis in this review relied only on partial cost analysis, with limited reference to mid-and long-term impact, public health or risk mitigation measures. However, the estimated impacts were high (ranging from $5 to $470 million USD losses). To reduce the impact of RVF, early detection and rapid response should be implemented. Comprehensive disease impact studies are required to provide decision-makers with science-based information on the best intervention measure to implement ensuring efficient resource allocation. Through the analysis of RVF socio-economic impact, this scoping study proposes insights into the mechanisms underpinning its often-underestimated importance. This study highlights the need for comparative socio-economic studies to help decision-makers with their choices related to RVF disease management.

Relations between Household Livestock Ownership, Livestock Disease, and Young Child Growth

“…Environmental contamination with livestock fecal pathogens could increase the risk of clinical and subclinical infection in children, both of which can directly affect linear growth (20,21). Disease in livestock may also lead to loss of household income through the loss of investment in these animals (22,23).…”

Rift Valley fever seroprevalence and abortion frequency among livestock of Kisoro district, South Western Uganda (2016): a prerequisite for zoonotic infection

“…RVFV is transmitted by mosquitoes and primarily affects ruminants causing abortions in pregnant females, acute mortality in young susceptible livestock, and haemorrhagic fever [2, 3]. In humans, the majority of infections result from direct or indirect contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals [3]. Bites from infected mosquitoes cause infection in the humans [4, 5].…”

Rapamycin modulation of p70 S6 kinase signaling inhibits Rift Valley fever virus pathogenesis

“…Survivors of RVFV infection suffer several long-term sequelae including neurologic or ocular disease (Al-Hazmi et al, 2003; Kahlon et al, 2010; Madani et al, 2003; Mohamed et al, 2010). Additionally, the socioeconomic impact of these outbreaks is devastating with the loss of livestock, revenue, and the unraveling of local communities from such hardship (Chengula et al, 2013; Peyre et al, 2015; Sindato et al, 2011). The United States (US) has reservoir mosquito species for RVFV, Aedes / Culex genera, and amplifying hosts, cattle/sheep/goats, in plentiful supply, thus setting the stage for potential introduction into the US (Gaudreault et al, 2015; Golnar et al, 2014).…”