Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV)

A genomic study published June 17, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens revealed the outbreak of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV) across African rice ecosystems.

• RYMV is endemic and largely restricted to the African continent, where it has been found in most of the rice-growing countries.
• Among all the economically important viral diseases in the world, rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is only prevalent in rice-growing countries in Africa.
• The causal virus is a member of the genus Sobemovirus.
• Rice, once secondary in many African diets, has now replaced maize in many regions, especially in West Africa, due to its quicker cooking time, adaptability and growing urban preference.