Heartland Virus Neutralizing Antibodies in Vertebrate Wildlife, United States, 2009–2014

Abstract

Since its discovery in 2009, the tickborne Heartland virus (HRTV) has caused human illness in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee USA. To better assess the geographic distribution of HRTV, we used wildlife serology as an indicator. This retrospective evaluation determined that HRTV is widespread within the central and eastern United States.

Keywords

• Heartland virus
• Heartland disease
• Phlebovirus
• Bunyaviridae
• Amblyomma americanum
• vertebrate wildlife serosurvey