Rift Valley fever. 3. Viraemia in cattle and sheep. 4. The susceptibility of mice and hamsters in relation to transmission of virus by mosquitoes
McIntosh, B.M.; Dickinson, D.B.; dos Santos, I.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 44(2): 167-169
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 1019-9128 PMID: 4149110 Document Number: 61349
In further studies on rift valley fever in South Africa, the virus was injected into calves and lambs in order to investigate the role played by these animals in providing a source of infection for mosquitos. In calves, the viraemia lasted at least 4-5 days, but in lambs titres were high on the second day and very low on the third day. It was observed that viraemia frequently occurred in the absence of clinical signs of the disease. It is concluded from the viraemia levels recorded that calves and lambs would be a source of infection for mosquitos for up to 5 days after infection.From tests of the susceptibility of mice and hamsters injected intracerebrally, subcutaneously or intraperitoneally with the virus, it was concluded that hamsters would tend to give a rather higher estimate of the ability of mosquitos to transmit the virus than would 6-day-old mice. Adult mice would give a very low estimate, and their use is inadvisable.