Getah Virus (Alphavirus): An Emerging, Spreading Zoonotic Virus

Abstract

Getah virus (GETV) is a zoonotic virus transmitted by mosquitoes, belonging to the Togaviridae family, Alphavirus genus. It was first isolated from mosquitoes in Malaysia in 1955, being widespread in island countries in the South Pacific region. Since the beginning of the 21st century, GETV expanded its range and geographical distribution from low-latitude tropical regions to 60° north latitude, being isolated from 17 different species of mosquitoes belonging to five genera of Culicidae (Culex, Anopheles, Armigeres, Aedes and Mansonia), as well as from midges in Eurasia. Molecular genetic evolution analysis revealed large molecular differences between the mosquitoes currently circulating Eurasia and those in the South Pacific in 1950s. The number of disease outbreaks caused by GETV in animals is increasing alongside the types of animals infected, from horses and pigs to cattle, blue foxes and red pandas. The disease burden is severely underestimated, and the economic cost to livestock production remains unknown. Herein, we review GETV temporal and spatial distribution, molecular genetic evolution, transmission and data on disease outbreaks. This work provides a reference for public health workers engaged in GETV research and zoonotic disease prevention and control.