Are phleboviruses dangerous to health?

The viruses Phlebovirus bogoriaense (BGRV), Phlebovirus embossosense (EMBV), Phlebovirus kiborgochense (KBGV), Phlebovirus ntepesense (NTPV) and Phlebovirus perkerraense (PKEV) belong to the family of Phenuiviridae and have a (-)-RNA genome consisting of three segments. The five virus species were first identified between 2014 and 2016 in Kenya, primarily from Sand flies isolated. Sand flies appear to serve as vectors and, through vertical transmission, as reservoirs for the phlebovirus species. To date, no data are available on acute infections in humans caused by the five virus species mentioned. Due to their relationship to human pathogens Representatives of the family Phenuiviridae , which cause mild illnesses (such as self-limiting fever), BGRV, EMBV, KBGV, NTPV and PKEV are also considered to pose a low risk to human health. This assumption is supported by results from animal experiments. Intracranial administration of 4 × 105 plaque-forming units of NTPV in three- to four-day-old mice resulted in paralysis of the limbs and death after five to eight days. It was also shown that cell cultures from bats, chickens, humans, mice, cattle, pigs and sand flies can be productively infected with NTPV in vitro. For BGRV, EMBV, KBGV and PKEV, no data are currently available on the risk potential, the Host area and for distribution.

In its statement, the ZKBS classifies the five virus species BGRV, EMBV, KBGV, NTPV and PKEV according to Section 5 Paragraph 1 GenTSV in conjunction with the criteria in Annex 1 GenTSV as donor and recipient organisms for genetic engineering work in the Risk group 2 The phleboviruses mentioned are transmitted to humans by sand flies, but have so far been poorly characterized with regard to their host spectrum and their human and animal pathogenic potential. Due to their close relationship to human pathogenic members of the family Phenuiviridae a (presumably low) risk to human health cannot be ruled out for BGRV, EMBV, KBGV, NTPV and PKEV.

The complete ZKBS statement can be found at File number 45242.0210 can be retrieved.