Heartland virus
| Heartland virus | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group V ((−)ssRNA) |
| Order: | Unassigned |
| Family: | Bunyaviridae |
| Genus: | Phlebovirus |
| Species: | Heartland virus |
The Heartland virus (HRTV) is a tick-borne phlebovirus of the Bhanja virus serocomplex discovered in northwestern Missouri by Dr. Scott Folk of Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. The virus was first proven to infect humans in June 2009 when two farmers, living 60 miles (97 km) apart, presented with fever, fatigue, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. The Lone Star Tick transmits the virus to people when feeding on blood.
The Heartland virus is part of the Bunyaviridae family of viruses which contain 3 segments of -ssRNA. The genus of the virus is Phlebovirus and the species is the Heartland virus. The SFTS virus from China, discovered in 2011, is a related species causing a similar disease.
The Heartland virus(HRTV) has been isolated from the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) by researchers from the CDC and Missouri Western State University. Work continues as of 2013 to identify the reservoir host. The reservoir host is unknown, as HRTV has not been isolated from any wild or domestic animals. Many white-tailed deer and raccoon from northwestern Missouri had antibodies to HRTV, suggesting that these animals may be hosts. In a retrospective study using convenience samples of different animal sera only deer, raccoon, coyotes, and moose had antibodies against HRTV. They lived in thirteen states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont. The infections could have occurred as early as 2003, based on the estimated ages of affected deer.
The following symptoms and signs have been reported: fever in excess of 100.4 °F (38 °C), lethargy (weakness), headaches, muscle pain (myalgia ), loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, joint pain(arthralgia), low white blood cell count (leukopenia) and easy bruising from low platelet count(thrombocytopenia). Elevated liver transaminases may also be present.
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