Publications by authors named "Robert F Brand"

Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever have devastating impacts on ruminants, humans, as well as on regional and national economies. Although numerous studies on the impact and outbreak of Rift Valley fever exist, relatively little is known about the role of environmental factors, especially soil, on the aestivation of the virus. This study thus selected 22 sites for study in central South Africa, known to be the recurrent epicenter of widespread Rift Valley fever outbreaks in Southern Africa.

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Article Synopsis
  • Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease prevalent in Africa and the Middle East, causing significant socio-economic repercussions due to its impact on livestock and public health.
  • A study conducted in the western Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa analyzed wetland vegetation and abiotic factors to understand their association with the 2010-2011 RVFV outbreak, identifying eight plant communities and multiple wetland types.
  • The research revealed that regions with high RVF mortality in livestock shared ecological characteristics like clay-rich soils and specific vegetation types that support mosquito breeding, highlighting the importance of environmental parameters in RVFV transmission.
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