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Peter J Walker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Bovine Ephemeral Fever Virus
Encyclopedia of Virology, 2020Co-Authors: Peter J WalkerAbstract:Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus that is classified as the type species of the genus Ephemerovirus. It occurs throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia, causing a disabling and sometimes lethal disease in cattle and water buffaloes. It is transmitted by several species of biting insects in which it replicates. Virions are enveloped, cone- or bullet-shaped particles containing a helical nucleocapsid. The 14.9 kbp negative-sense single-sranded RNA genome comprises 12 genes arranged in the order 3′-l-N-P/C-M-G-GNS-α1/α2/α3-β-γ-L-t-5′. The N-, P-, M-, G-, and L-genes encode the five structural proteins that are common to all rhabdoviruses. In a region between the G- and L-genes, BEFV also encodes a series of nonstructural proteins, including a glycoprotein (GNS), that appears to have been generated by duplication of the G-gene, and several other proteins of unknown function. A similar genome organization has been reported for the closely related Ephemerovirus species Adelaide River virus. The BEFV structural glycoprotein (G) mediates cell attachment and entry, and induces protective immunity in cattle. It is the target for virus-neutralizing antibodies which bind to epitopes comprising four distinct antigenic sites (G1, G2, G3, and G4). Several live-attenuated, inactivated, subunit, and recombinant vaccines have been developed for prophylactic applications.
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Bovine Ephemeral Fever in Australia and the World
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 2020Co-Authors: Peter J WalkerAbstract:Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a disabling viral disease of cattle and water buffaloes. It can cause significant economic impact through reduced milk production in dairy herds, loss of condition in beef cattle and loss of draught animals at the time of harvest. Available evidence indicates clinical signs of BEF, which include bi-phasic fever, anorexia, muscle stiffness, ocular and nasal discharge, ruminal stasis and recumbency, are due primarily to a vascular inflammatory response. In Australia, between 1936 and 1976, BEF occurred in sweeping epizootics that commenced in the tropical far north and spread over vast cattle grazing areas of the continent. In the late 1970s, following several epizootics in rapid succession, the disease became enzootic in most of northern and eastern Australia. In Africa, the Middle East and Asia, BEF occurs as also epizootics which originate in enzootic tropical areas and sweep north or south to sub-tropical and temperate zones. The causative virus is transmitted by haematophagous insects that appear to be borne on the wind, allowing rapid spread of the disease. Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) has been classified as the type species of the genus Ephemerovirus in the Rhabdoviridae. It has a complex genome organization which includes two glycoprotein genes that appear to have arisen by gene duplication. The virion surface glycoprotein (G protein) contains four major antigenic sites that are targets for neutralizing antibody. An analysis of a large number of BEFV isolates collected in Australia between 1956 and 1992 has indicated remarkable stability in most neutralization sites. However, epitope shifts have occurred in the major conformational site G3 and these have been traced to specific mutations in the amino acid sequence. BEFV isolates from mainland China and Taiwan are closely related to Australian isolates, but some variations have been detected. Natural BEFV infection induces a strong neutralizing antibody response and infection usually induces durable immunity. Several forms of live-attenuated, inactivated and recombinant vaccines have been reported but with variable efficacy and durability of protection. The BEFV G protein is a highly effective vaccine antigen, either as a purified subunit or expressed from recombinant viral vectors.
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Koolpinyah and Yata viruses: two newly recognised Ephemeroviruses from tropical regions of Australia and Africa.
Veterinary microbiology, 2014Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Robert B. Tesh, Steven G Widen, Sinéad M Diviney, Cadhla Firth, Thomas G Wood, Hilda Guzman, Edward C Holmes, Nikos Vasilakis, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Koolpinyah virus (KOOLV) isolated from healthy Australian cattle and Yata virus (YATV) isolated from a pool of Mansonia uniformis mosquitoes in the Central African Republic have been tentatively identified as rhabdoviruses. KOOLV was shown previously to be related antigenically to kotonkon virus, an Ephemerovirus that has caused an ephemeral fever-like illness in cattle in Nigeria, but YATV failed to react antigenically with any other virus tested. Here we report the complete genome sequences of KOOLV (16,133 nt) and YATV (14,479 nt). Each has a complex genome organisation, with multiple genes, including a second non-structural glycoprotein (GNS) gene and a viroporin (α1) gene, between the G and L genes as is characteristic of Ephemeroviruses. Based on an analysis of genome organisation, sequence identity and cross-neutralisation, we demonstrate that both KOOLV and YATV should be classified as two new species in the genus Ephemerovirus.
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A reverse-transcription PCR method for detecting all known Ephemeroviruses in clinical samples.
Journal of Virological Methods, 2013Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Robert B. Tesh, Mathew M. Adams, Steven S. Davis, Susan Walsh, Orly Aziz-boaron, Eyal Klement, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Abstract Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an economically important vector-borne pathogen of cattle in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Although clinical cases of bovine ephemeral fever are usually attributed to BEFV, definitive diagnosis is rarely performed and at least two other related viruses, kotonkon virus (KOTV; an Ephemerovirus) and Fukuoka virus (FUKAV; an unassigned rhabdovirus), can cause similar clinical signs. As vaccines have been developed against BEFV but not against KOTV or FUKAV, a test capable of detecting and differentiating these pathogens would be useful. In the present study, an RT-PCR method using degenerate primers designed to a region of block III of the polymerase (L) gene was developed and optimised for primer annealing temperature and MgCl 2 concentration. The RT-PCR detected all known Ephemeroviruses and several other closely related insect-transmitted rhabdoviruses, including FUKAV. Viruses could be identified by subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the amplicons. BEFV could be detected using tissue culture isolates or cattle blood to a sensitivity of 500 RNA copies per reaction. This test will be useful for establishing the identity of the causative agent of bovine ephemeral fever from field samples and cultured isolates.
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Malakal virus from Africa and Kimberley virus from Australia are geographic variants of a widely distributed Ephemerovirus.
Virology, 2012Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Lee Trinidad, David B. Boyle, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Robert B. Tesh, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Abstract Kimberley virus (KIMV) is an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus that was isolated in 1973 and on several subsequent occasions from healthy cattle, mosquitoes ( Culex annulirostris ) and biting midges ( Culicoides brevitarsis ) in Australia. Malakal virus (MALV) is an antigenically related rhabdovirus isolated in 1963 from mosquitoes ( Mansonia uniformis ) in Sudan. We report here the complete genome sequences of KIMV (15442 nt) and MALV (15444 nt). The genomes have a similar organisation (3′-l-N-P-M-G-G NS -α1-α2-β-γ-L-t-5′) to that of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV). High levels of amino acid identity in each gene, similar gene expression profiles, clustering in phylogenetic analyses of the N, P, G and L proteins, and strong cross-neutralisation indicate that KIMV and MALV are geographic variants of the same Ephemerovirus that, like BEFV, occurs in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Kim R. Blasdell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hayes Yard virus: a novel Ephemerovirus isolated from a bull with severe clinical signs of bovine ephemeral fever is most closely related to Puchong virus
Veterinary Research, 2020Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Steven S. Davis, Deborah Middleton, Sinead Williams, Margaret B. Harmsen, Richard P. Weir, Sandra Crameri, Susan J. WalshAbstract:Bovine ephemeral fever is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. The disease is caused by a rhabdovirus, bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV), which occurs as a single serotype globally. Although several other closely related Ephemeroviruses have been isolated from cattle and/or arthropods, only kotonkan virus from Nigeria and (tentatively) Mavingoni virus from Mayotte Island in the Indian Ocean have been previously associated with febrile disease. Here, we report the isolation of a novel virus (Hayes Yard virus; HYV) from blood collected in February 2000 from a bull ( Bos indicus ) in the Northern Territory of Australia. The animal was suffering from a severe ephemeral fever-like illness with neurological involvement, including recumbency and paralysis, and was euthanised. Histological examination of spinal cord and lung tissue identified extensive haemorrhage in the dura mata with moderate perineuronal oedema and extensive emphysema. HYV displayed cone-shaped morphology, typical of rhabdoviruses, and was found to be most closely related antigenically to Puchong virus (PUCV), isolated in 1965 from mosquitoes in Malaysia. Analysis of complete genome sequences of HYV (15 025 nt) and PUCV (14 932 nt) indicated that each has a complex organisation (3′ N-P-M-G-G_NS-α1-α2-β-γ-L 5′) and expression strategy, similar to that of BEFV. Based on an alignment of complete L protein sequences, HYV and PUCV cluster with other rhabdoviruses in the genus Ephemerovirus and appear to represent two new species. Neutralising antibody to HYV was also detected in a retrospective survey of cattle sera collected in the Northern Territory.
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Koolpinyah and Yata viruses: two newly recognised Ephemeroviruses from tropical regions of Australia and Africa.
Veterinary microbiology, 2014Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Robert B. Tesh, Steven G Widen, Sinéad M Diviney, Cadhla Firth, Thomas G Wood, Hilda Guzman, Edward C Holmes, Nikos Vasilakis, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Koolpinyah virus (KOOLV) isolated from healthy Australian cattle and Yata virus (YATV) isolated from a pool of Mansonia uniformis mosquitoes in the Central African Republic have been tentatively identified as rhabdoviruses. KOOLV was shown previously to be related antigenically to kotonkon virus, an Ephemerovirus that has caused an ephemeral fever-like illness in cattle in Nigeria, but YATV failed to react antigenically with any other virus tested. Here we report the complete genome sequences of KOOLV (16,133 nt) and YATV (14,479 nt). Each has a complex genome organisation, with multiple genes, including a second non-structural glycoprotein (GNS) gene and a viroporin (α1) gene, between the G and L genes as is characteristic of Ephemeroviruses. Based on an analysis of genome organisation, sequence identity and cross-neutralisation, we demonstrate that both KOOLV and YATV should be classified as two new species in the genus Ephemerovirus.
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Bovine Ephemeral Fever Rhabdovirus α1 Protein Has Viroporin-Like Properties and Binds Importin β1 and Importin 7
Journal of Virology, 2013Co-Authors: Albert Joubert, Kim R. Blasdell, Lee Trinidad, Michelle D. Audsley, Paul Monaghan, Keyur A. Dave, Kim G. Lieu, Rachel Amos-ritchie, David A. Jans, Gregory W. MoseleyAbstract:Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus that is classified as the type species of the genus Ephemerovirus. In addition to the five canonical rhabdovirus structural proteins (N, P, M, G, and L), the large and complex BEFV genome contains several open reading frames (ORFs) between the G and L genes (α1, α2/α3, β, and γ) encoding proteins of unknown function. We show that the 10.5-kDa BEFV α1 protein is expressed in infected cells and, consistent with previous predictions based on its structure, has the properties of a viroporin. Expression of a BEFV α1-maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion protein in Escherichia coli was observed to inhibit cell growth and increase membrane permeability to hygromycin B. Increased membrane permeability was also observed in BEFV-infected mammalian cells (but not cells infected with an α1-deficient BEFV strain) and in cells expressing a BEFV α1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein, which was shown by confocal microscopy to localize to the Golgi complex. Furthermore, the predicted C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of α1, which contains a strong nuclear localization signal (NLS), was translocated to the nucleus when expressed independently, and in an affinity chromatography assay employing a GFP trap, the full-length α1 was observed to interact specifically with importin β1 and importin 7 but not with importin β3. These data suggest that, in addition to its function as a viroporin, BEFV α1 may modulate components of nuclear trafficking pathways, but the specific role thereof remains unclear.
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A reverse-transcription PCR method for detecting all known Ephemeroviruses in clinical samples.
Journal of Virological Methods, 2013Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Robert B. Tesh, Mathew M. Adams, Steven S. Davis, Susan Walsh, Orly Aziz-boaron, Eyal Klement, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Abstract Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an economically important vector-borne pathogen of cattle in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Although clinical cases of bovine ephemeral fever are usually attributed to BEFV, definitive diagnosis is rarely performed and at least two other related viruses, kotonkon virus (KOTV; an Ephemerovirus) and Fukuoka virus (FUKAV; an unassigned rhabdovirus), can cause similar clinical signs. As vaccines have been developed against BEFV but not against KOTV or FUKAV, a test capable of detecting and differentiating these pathogens would be useful. In the present study, an RT-PCR method using degenerate primers designed to a region of block III of the polymerase (L) gene was developed and optimised for primer annealing temperature and MgCl 2 concentration. The RT-PCR detected all known Ephemeroviruses and several other closely related insect-transmitted rhabdoviruses, including FUKAV. Viruses could be identified by subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the amplicons. BEFV could be detected using tissue culture isolates or cattle blood to a sensitivity of 500 RNA copies per reaction. This test will be useful for establishing the identity of the causative agent of bovine ephemeral fever from field samples and cultured isolates.
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Malakal virus from Africa and Kimberley virus from Australia are geographic variants of a widely distributed Ephemerovirus.
Virology, 2012Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Lee Trinidad, David B. Boyle, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Robert B. Tesh, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Abstract Kimberley virus (KIMV) is an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus that was isolated in 1973 and on several subsequent occasions from healthy cattle, mosquitoes ( Culex annulirostris ) and biting midges ( Culicoides brevitarsis ) in Australia. Malakal virus (MALV) is an antigenically related rhabdovirus isolated in 1963 from mosquitoes ( Mansonia uniformis ) in Sudan. We report here the complete genome sequences of KIMV (15442 nt) and MALV (15444 nt). The genomes have a similar organisation (3′-l-N-P-M-G-G NS -α1-α2-β-γ-L-t-5′) to that of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV). High levels of amino acid identity in each gene, similar gene expression profiles, clustering in phylogenetic analyses of the N, P, G and L proteins, and strong cross-neutralisation indicate that KIMV and MALV are geographic variants of the same Ephemerovirus that, like BEFV, occurs in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Susan J. Walsh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hayes Yard virus: a novel Ephemerovirus isolated from a bull with severe clinical signs of bovine ephemeral fever is most closely related to Puchong virus
Veterinary Research, 2020Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Steven S. Davis, Deborah Middleton, Sinead Williams, Margaret B. Harmsen, Richard P. Weir, Sandra Crameri, Susan J. WalshAbstract:Bovine ephemeral fever is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. The disease is caused by a rhabdovirus, bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV), which occurs as a single serotype globally. Although several other closely related Ephemeroviruses have been isolated from cattle and/or arthropods, only kotonkan virus from Nigeria and (tentatively) Mavingoni virus from Mayotte Island in the Indian Ocean have been previously associated with febrile disease. Here, we report the isolation of a novel virus (Hayes Yard virus; HYV) from blood collected in February 2000 from a bull ( Bos indicus ) in the Northern Territory of Australia. The animal was suffering from a severe ephemeral fever-like illness with neurological involvement, including recumbency and paralysis, and was euthanised. Histological examination of spinal cord and lung tissue identified extensive haemorrhage in the dura mata with moderate perineuronal oedema and extensive emphysema. HYV displayed cone-shaped morphology, typical of rhabdoviruses, and was found to be most closely related antigenically to Puchong virus (PUCV), isolated in 1965 from mosquitoes in Malaysia. Analysis of complete genome sequences of HYV (15 025 nt) and PUCV (14 932 nt) indicated that each has a complex organisation (3′ N-P-M-G-G_NS-α1-α2-β-γ-L 5′) and expression strategy, similar to that of BEFV. Based on an alignment of complete L protein sequences, HYV and PUCV cluster with other rhabdoviruses in the genus Ephemerovirus and appear to represent two new species. Neutralising antibody to HYV was also detected in a retrospective survey of cattle sera collected in the Northern Territory.
Sandra Crameri - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hayes Yard virus: a novel Ephemerovirus isolated from a bull with severe clinical signs of bovine ephemeral fever is most closely related to Puchong virus
Veterinary Research, 2020Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Steven S. Davis, Deborah Middleton, Sinead Williams, Margaret B. Harmsen, Richard P. Weir, Sandra Crameri, Susan J. WalshAbstract:Bovine ephemeral fever is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. The disease is caused by a rhabdovirus, bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV), which occurs as a single serotype globally. Although several other closely related Ephemeroviruses have been isolated from cattle and/or arthropods, only kotonkan virus from Nigeria and (tentatively) Mavingoni virus from Mayotte Island in the Indian Ocean have been previously associated with febrile disease. Here, we report the isolation of a novel virus (Hayes Yard virus; HYV) from blood collected in February 2000 from a bull ( Bos indicus ) in the Northern Territory of Australia. The animal was suffering from a severe ephemeral fever-like illness with neurological involvement, including recumbency and paralysis, and was euthanised. Histological examination of spinal cord and lung tissue identified extensive haemorrhage in the dura mata with moderate perineuronal oedema and extensive emphysema. HYV displayed cone-shaped morphology, typical of rhabdoviruses, and was found to be most closely related antigenically to Puchong virus (PUCV), isolated in 1965 from mosquitoes in Malaysia. Analysis of complete genome sequences of HYV (15 025 nt) and PUCV (14 932 nt) indicated that each has a complex organisation (3′ N-P-M-G-G_NS-α1-α2-β-γ-L 5′) and expression strategy, similar to that of BEFV. Based on an alignment of complete L protein sequences, HYV and PUCV cluster with other rhabdoviruses in the genus Ephemerovirus and appear to represent two new species. Neutralising antibody to HYV was also detected in a retrospective survey of cattle sera collected in the Northern Territory.
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Genomic characterisation of Wongabel virus reveals novel genes within the Rhabdoviridae
Virology, 2008Co-Authors: Aneta J. Gubala, Christopher Cowled, Sandra Crameri, David F. Proll, Ross Barnard, Alex D. Hyatt, David B. BoyleAbstract:Abstract Viruses belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae infect a variety of different hosts, including insects, vertebrates and plants. Currently, there are approximately 200 ICTV-recognised rhabdoviruses isolated around the world. However, the majority remain poorly characterised and only a fraction have been definitively assigned to genera. The genomic and transcriptional complexity displayed by several of the characterised rhabdoviruses indicates large diversity and complexity within this family. To enable an improved taxonomic understanding of this family, it is necessary to gain further information about the poorly characterised members of this family. Here we present the complete genome sequence and predicted transcription strategy of Wongabel virus (WONV), a previously uncharacterised rhabdovirus isolated from biting midges ( Culicoides austropalpalis ) collected in northern Queensland, Australia. The 13,196 nucleotide genome of WONV encodes five typical rhabdovirus genes N, P, M, G and L. In addition, the WONV genome contains three genes located between the P and M genes (U1, U2, U3) and two open reading frames overlapping with the N and G genes (U4, U5). These five additional genes and their putative protein products appear to be novel, and their functions are unknown. Predictive analysis of the U5 gene product revealed characteristics typical of viroporins, and indicated structural similarities with the alpha-1 protein (putative viroporin) of viruses in the genus Ephemerovirus . Phylogenetic analyses of the N and G proteins of WONV indicated closest similarity with the avian-associated Flanders virus; however, the genomes of these two viruses are significantly diverged. WONV displays a novel and unique genome structure that has not previously been described for any animal rhabdovirus.
Dieter M Bulach - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hayes Yard virus: a novel Ephemerovirus isolated from a bull with severe clinical signs of bovine ephemeral fever is most closely related to Puchong virus
Veterinary Research, 2020Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Steven S. Davis, Deborah Middleton, Sinead Williams, Margaret B. Harmsen, Richard P. Weir, Sandra Crameri, Susan J. WalshAbstract:Bovine ephemeral fever is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. The disease is caused by a rhabdovirus, bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV), which occurs as a single serotype globally. Although several other closely related Ephemeroviruses have been isolated from cattle and/or arthropods, only kotonkan virus from Nigeria and (tentatively) Mavingoni virus from Mayotte Island in the Indian Ocean have been previously associated with febrile disease. Here, we report the isolation of a novel virus (Hayes Yard virus; HYV) from blood collected in February 2000 from a bull ( Bos indicus ) in the Northern Territory of Australia. The animal was suffering from a severe ephemeral fever-like illness with neurological involvement, including recumbency and paralysis, and was euthanised. Histological examination of spinal cord and lung tissue identified extensive haemorrhage in the dura mata with moderate perineuronal oedema and extensive emphysema. HYV displayed cone-shaped morphology, typical of rhabdoviruses, and was found to be most closely related antigenically to Puchong virus (PUCV), isolated in 1965 from mosquitoes in Malaysia. Analysis of complete genome sequences of HYV (15 025 nt) and PUCV (14 932 nt) indicated that each has a complex organisation (3′ N-P-M-G-G_NS-α1-α2-β-γ-L 5′) and expression strategy, similar to that of BEFV. Based on an alignment of complete L protein sequences, HYV and PUCV cluster with other rhabdoviruses in the genus Ephemerovirus and appear to represent two new species. Neutralising antibody to HYV was also detected in a retrospective survey of cattle sera collected in the Northern Territory.
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Malakal virus from Africa and Kimberley virus from Australia are geographic variants of a widely distributed Ephemerovirus.
Virology, 2012Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, Lee Trinidad, David B. Boyle, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Robert B. Tesh, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Abstract Kimberley virus (KIMV) is an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus that was isolated in 1973 and on several subsequent occasions from healthy cattle, mosquitoes ( Culex annulirostris ) and biting midges ( Culicoides brevitarsis ) in Australia. Malakal virus (MALV) is an antigenically related rhabdovirus isolated in 1963 from mosquitoes ( Mansonia uniformis ) in Sudan. We report here the complete genome sequences of KIMV (15442 nt) and MALV (15444 nt). The genomes have a similar organisation (3′-l-N-P-M-G-G NS -α1-α2-β-γ-L-t-5′) to that of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV). High levels of amino acid identity in each gene, similar gene expression profiles, clustering in phylogenetic analyses of the N, P, G and L proteins, and strong cross-neutralisation indicate that KIMV and MALV are geographic variants of the same Ephemerovirus that, like BEFV, occurs in Africa, Asia and Australia.
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Kotonkan and Obodhiang viruses: African Ephemeroviruses with large and complex genomes.
Virology, 2012Co-Authors: Kim R. Blasdell, David B. Boyle, Dieter M Bulach, Rhonda Voysey, Robert B. Tesh, D. Albert Joubert, Peter J WalkerAbstract:Abstract Kotonkan virus (KOTV) and Obodhiang virus (OBOV) are rhabdoviruses that were isolated from arthropods in Africa and formerly classified as lyssaviruses. KOTV causes clinical bovine ephemeral fever in cattle; the ecology and pathogenicity of OBOV is poorly understood. In this paper, we report the complete genome sequences of KOTV and OBOV, their gene expression profiles, and their serological and phylogenetic relationships to other rhabdoviruses. The 15,870 nt KOTV genome (3′-l-N-P-M-G-GNS-α1-α2-β-γ-δ-L-t-5′) is similar to that of bovine ephemeral fever virus but encodes an additional protein (δ) that shares homology with the pleckstrin homology domain of coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase. The 14,717 nt OBOV genome (3′-l-N-P-M-G-GNS-α1-α2-β-L-t-5′) is similar to that of Adelaide River virus from which it is distinguishable serologically. In each virus, all ORFs, except α1 and α2, are transcribed as monocistronic mRNA. Genetic and serological data indicate that KOTV and OBOV should be classified as new species in the genus Ephemerovirus.