measures to fight yellow fever have been neglected, making the future spread of the virus more likely. Research In the hamster model of yellow fever, early administration of the antiviral ribavirin is an effective treatment of many pathological features of the disease. Ribavirin treatment during the first five days after virus infection improved survival rates, reduced tissue damage in the liver and spleen, prevented hepatocellular steatosis, and normalised levels of alanine aminotransferase, a liver damage marker. The mechanism of action of ribavirin in reducing liver pathology in yellow fever virus infection may be similar to its activity in treatment of hepatitis C, a related virus. Because ribavirin had failed to improve survival in a virulent rhesus model of yellow fever infection, it had been previously discounted as a possible therapy. Infection was reduced in mosquitoes with the wMel strain of Wolbachia. Yellow fever has been researched by several countries as a potential biological weapon. Notes References Further reading External links "U.S. Army Yellow Fever Commission." Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia Biological weapons Epidemics Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate Wikipedia infectious disease articles ready to translate Tropical diseases Vaccine-preventable diseases