Midwest Research Institute Awarded Contract for Analysis of Rift Valley Fever Virus
Research Will Provide Valuable Insight Into the Virus and the Disease it Causes
(Kansas City, MO) August 31, 2010 – Midwest Research Institute (MRI), one of the nation’s leading independent research organizations, with more than 65-years of experience in scientific research, has been awarded a $1.6M contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to provide analysis of the virus that causes Rift Valley Fever (RVF).
Through the course of the three year contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, MRI scientists in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch will compare the accumulation of genetic changes in Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) propagated in its normal hosts, mosquitoes or small mammals versus virus grown in artificial systems. The effect of genetic changes on the disease caused by the virus will also be compared in order to better understand the factors that contribute to severe infections.
“Because the world health impact of a virus such as Rift Valley Fever are great, MRI scientists are eager to advance the understanding of the Rift Valley Fever Virus,” said MRI Senior Vice President and Director of Research Operations Thomas M. Sack, Ph.D. “Overall, our research will shed light on the virus factors associated with virulence.”
Throughout MRI’s decades of research, development, diagnostic and consulting services in the life sciences, MRI has earned a distinguished reputation for innovation and scientific leadership in improving and protecting human and animal health.
About Rift Valley Fever
Rift Valley Fever is a caused by the Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV). RVFV is a zoonotic disease, which means it is an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans.
- RVFV is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and primarily affects domestic livestock.
- Rift Valley Fever was first reported among livestock in Kenya in 1915, but the virus was not isolated until 1931.
- In 1998, the virus claimed the lives of 400 Kenyans.
- In 2000, an outbreak was confirmed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
- In 2006, a Rift Valley Fever outbreak occurred in Kenya.
- As of January 2007, about 75 people have died and another 183 infected. The outbreak closed the livestock markets in North Eastern Province, affecting the economy of the region.
- A Rift Valley Fever outbreak occurred earlier this year in Africa.
About Midwest Research Institute
Midwest Research Institute (MRI), a not-for-profit scientific/engineering organization with nearly 2,800 employees under management nationwide, performs scientific research and engineering technical services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI conducts technical services in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., MRI also has operations in Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
MRI is a partner in and chair of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, which manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy.
For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org.