Transovarial Transmission of Heartland Virus by Invasive Asian Longhorned Ticks under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

We demonstrated experimental acquisition and transmission of Heartland bandavirus by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. Virus was detected in tick salivary gland and midgut tissues. A total of 80% of mice exposed to 1 infected tick seroconverted, suggesting horizontal transmission. H. longicornis ticks can transmit the virus in the transovarial mode.

Keywords

• Heartland virus
• Dabie bandavirus
• Haemaphysalis longicornis
• ticks
• invasive species
• severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus