An epidemic of Rift Valley fever in Egypt. 2. Isolation of the virus from animals.

During the epidemic of Rift Valley fever (RVF) that occurred in Egypt and other areas of North Africa in 1977, the virus was isolated from various species of domestic animal and rats (Rattus rattus frugivorus) as well as man. The highest number of RVF virus isolates were obtained from sheep; only one isolate was recovered from each of the other species tested, viz. cow, camel, goat, horse, and rat. RVF virus was reisolated from both camel and horse sera, apparently for the first time.