Ticks confirmed to harbor Heartland virus, a recently discovered disease in the US

Scientists have for the first time traced a novel virus that infected two men from northwestern Missouri in 2009 to populations of ticks in the region, providing confirmation that lone star ticks are carrying the recently discovered virus and humans in the area are likely at risk of infection. The findings were published online in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Dubbed Heartland virus or HRTV, the infection causes fever, headaches, and low white blood cell and platelet counts...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Source Type: news