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The RVF virus belongs to the family
bunyaviridae genus phlebovirus. The RVF virus is a RNA lipid-enveloped spherical
structure, 80 nm to 120 nm in diameter and contain 5-nm to 10-nm surface spikes (G1 and
G2). The virus has a helical nucleocapsid and three single-stranded negative sense and
ambisense (L,M,S) RNAs. The virus lipid envelope contains 20-30% lipids totally derived
from the host cell membrane. The virion spikes mediate the attachment of the virus to the
host cell receptors, serve as hemagglutinin and are the targets for the host’s
neutralising antibodies. |