Emerging Alphaviruses

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence and (re-)emergence of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) is timeless but has intensified in recent decades with the global spread of West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, and Zika virus, as a result of increased travel and commerce, expansion of vector habitats, and climate change. Several arboviruses are on the brink of emergence and an accelerated widespread dispersal.

Today, the only mosquito-borne alphavirus with a global spread is Chikungunya virus, but related viruses have caused geographically more confined outbreaks in the Americas (Mayaro virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus), Africa (O’nyong nyong virus), and Oceania (Ross River virus) and are predicted to have the potential to emerge at a global scale. This Special Issue aims at highlighting key findings in the field of alphaviruses, including but not limited to Chikungunya virus, to address the current knowledge on this class of emerging arboviruses that represent a significant potential burden for human health (or affected populations). The Special Issue further represents an opportunity to define knowledge gaps in our understanding of viral mechanisms and therapeutic options.

For this Special Issue, we are accepting cutting-edge review papers (commissioned), outbreak reports, and original research papers related to alphavirus biology, immuno-pathophysiology of alphavirus infection, animal reservoirs and alphavirus ecology, vector competence, laboratory animal models, immunity and vaccines, and novel diagnostic approaches.

Prof. Dr. Kevin K. Arien
Dr. Koen Bartholomeeusen

Guest Editors

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