As the incoming RVFV RNPs trigger retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-mediated innate immune signaling (Weber et al., 2013), the efficient packaging of antigenomic S RNA, which facilitates the expression of NSs, an interferon (IFN) antagonist (Le May et al., 2004; Le May et al., 2008; Habjan et al., 2009; Ikegami et al., 2009; Kalveram et al., 2011; Kainulainen et al., 2014; Wuerth and Weber, 2016), immediately after infection (Ikegami et al., 2005b), would provide a functional advantage for establishing robust RVFV infection in IFN-competent mammalian hosts. The gene discussed is RIGI; the disease is infection.