Orthobunyavirus

Orthobunyavirus is a genus of the Peribunyaviridae family in the order Bunyavirales. There are currently ~170 viruses recognised in this genus. These have been assembled into 49 species and 20 serogroups. Orthobunyavirus is a genus of the Peribunyaviridae family in the order Bunyavirales. There are currently ~170 viruses recognised in this genus. These have been assembled into 49 species and 20 serogroups. The name Orthobunyavirus derives from Bunyamwera, Uganda, where the original type species Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus was first discovered, along with the prefix orthos (ορϑοϛ) meaning 'straight.' The type species is Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus. The genus is most diverse in Africa, Australia and Oceania, but occurs almost worldwide. Most orthobunyavirus species are transmitted by gnats and cause diseases of cattle. The California encephalitis virus, the La Crosse virus and the Jamestown Canyon virus are North American species that cause encephalitis in humans.