Heat-labile enterotoxin

Heartland Virus is a phlebovirus that was first identified in the United States in 2009. The virus is named after the Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri, where the first cases were reported. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, specifically the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum).

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of Heartland virus infection include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. Some patients may also develop a rash. Severe cases can result in hospitalization, and there have been fatalities reported.

Diagnosis of Heartland virus is challenging as there is currently no commercially available test. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can perform tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Heartland virus. Management of the disease involves supportive care to relieve symptoms.

Prevention strategies focus on avoiding tick bites. This includes using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, avoiding wooded and bushy areas, and performing tick checks after being outdoors.

Epidemiology

Heartland virus has been found in several states in the Midwest and southern United States. The majority of cases have been reported in Missouri and Tennessee. The virus is thought to be transmitted to ticks from mammals, although the specific reservoir hosts are not known.

Research

Research into Heartland virus is ongoing. The CDC is working to better understand the virus and its impact on public health. This includes studying the virus's geographic range, how people become infected, and developing diagnostic tests and treatments.

See also

• Tick-borne disease
• Phlebovirus
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention