Sample A: Cover Page of Thesis, Project, or Dissertation Proposal

animals during RVF outbreaks or collect dormant Aedes RVF virus infected eggs from soils
in endemic countries. Even though transport and work with RVF virus is closely regulated,
terrorists conceivably could obtain the pathogen by illegitimate means from research
laboratories (within the United States, in non-endemic European countries, or in endemic
countries) that house inventories of the virus (Kortepeter et al. 2001).
Many experts agree that smuggling of live RVF virus into the United States is
feasible (Kasari et al. 2008). As reported by Kasari et al. 2008, “there are 152 international
airports and 170 sea or river ports of call in the United States, all of which are potential entry
pathways for humans who wish to illicitly transport RVF virus.” The threat is compounded
by the fact that it is difficult to screen passengers and easy to hide the virus.
Once in the United States, terrorists potentially could cause a RVF outbreak by
infecting local mosquitoes with the virus, placing dormant Aedes RVF virus infected eggs in
a suitable environment, introducing an infected animal within livestock herds, or releasing
the virus as an aerosol targeted at humans, livestock or wildlife.
2.2.2 FACTORS THAT AFFECT RIFT VALLEY FEVER ESTABLISHMENT AND SPREAD
Regardless of whether RVF were to emerge in the United States naturally or by
intentional means, amplification of the virus would be required for the disease to result in an
epidemic, become established, and spread. Virus amplification depends on numerous factors,
including prevalence of competent vectors, proximity and susceptibility of amplifying
vertebrate hosts, and presence of environmental conditions suitable for virus transmission by
competent vectors (House et al. 1992, Chevalier et al. 2004a).
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