Viral hemorrhagic fevers of animals caused by DNA viruses

Abstract

The term “viral hemorrhagic fevers” (VHFs) can loosely be applied to many serious diseases of animals (including fish, who are incapable of a fever response). While VHFs of humans are caused by viruses limited to only 4–5 families (i.e., Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, and possibly Rhabdoviridae), VHFs of animals are caused by a much broader variety of viruses. Therefore, chapters 11–14 were grouped using the Baltimore classification, i.e., by genome type, as opposed to the classification supported by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. As one could guess, the largest number of VHFs in animals is caused by negative-stranded RNA viruses, but some are caused by viruses that have positive-sense or double-stranded RNA genomes, and some even have DNA genomes. This chapter focuses on negative-stranded RNA viruses. However, the reader is encouraged to read all four chapters to get an idea of the breadth of disease mechanisms and natural histories of this fascinating group of viruses that have both direct and indirect effects on humans, as well as implications for larger societal issues, such as food security and ecological dynamics. At the end of each chapter, “honorable mention” is given to some serious viral diseases that may have incomplete hemorrhagic features in regard to the definition provided in this first chapter of this series.