Key Points

• Heartland virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick.
• Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain.
• There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat infection with Heartland virus.
• You can reduce your risk by avoiding tick bites.

Overview

Heartland virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Most cases have been reported from states in eastern, southeastern, and south-central United States.

Symptoms of Heartland virus include fever, fatigue (feeling tired), decreased appetite, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain.

There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat infection with Heartland virus. You can reduce your risk of getting sick by taking steps to avoid tick bites.

Key points

• Heartland virus disease (Heartland) is caused by a virus spread through the bite of an infected tick.
• The tick that spreads Heartland virus is found in the eastern, southeastern, and south-central United States.

Primary cause

Heartland is caused by a virus that has been found in eastern, southeastern, and south-central United States.

It is related to a virus found in Asia, called severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus.

How it spreads

Information from patients and from laboratory studies suggest that the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) can transmit the virus.

It is not known if other species of ticks might also spread the virus or if people can be infected in other ways.

Prevent getting sick with Heartland by preventing tick bites.

Key points

• Heartland virus disease is caused by a virus in the genus Bandavirus.
• Heartland virus is primarily transmitted by Amblyomma americanum ticks.
• It is unknown if there are any animal reservoirs for the virus.

Virus

Heartland virus belongs to the genus Bandavirus, family Phenuviridae, which includes viruses that can be transmitted by ticks.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus is a related virus found in several countries in Asia and causes similar signs and symptoms to Heartland virus.

Transmission

Based on human case reports and laboratory studies, the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is primarily responsible for transmitting Heartland virus. The Asian Longhorn tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) has also been shown to be a competent vector in the laboratory.

It is currently not known if any mammals are reservoirs for the virus, although antibodies against the virus have been found in several species.

It is not known if people can be infected in other ways.

The time from infected tick bite to feeling sick (incubation period) ranges from a few days to two weeks. Signs and symptoms of Heartland are often similar to those of other tickborne illnesses, such as ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis.

• Most people infected with Heartland virus experience fever, fatigue (feeling tired), decreased appetite, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain.
• Some people also have lower than normal counts of white blood cells, which help fight infections, and lower than normal counts of platelets, which help prevent bleeding.
• Tests to check how well the liver is working (liver function tests) can show increased levels of liver enzymes.

If you think you or a family member might have Heartland, talk with your healthcare provider.

• Healthcare providers diagnose Heartland based on:
  • Signs and symptoms
  • History of living in or traveling to an area where Heartland virus is known to circulate
  • History of possible exposure to the ticks that can carry Heartland virus
  • Blood tests
• Your healthcare provider can order tests to look for Heartland virus infection and other infections that cause similar symptoms.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Heartland. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.

Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medications may relieve some symptoms.

Some patients may need to be hospitalized for intravenous fluids and supportive care for pain, fever, or other related problems.

Key Points

• There are no vaccines or medicines to prevent Heartland virus disease (Heartland).
• The best way to prevent Heartland is to protect yourself from tick bites.

Prevention tips

Heartland virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. There are no vaccines or medicines to prevent Heartland virus disease.

The best way to prevent Heartland is to protect yourself from tick bites.

• Use insect repellents
• Wear long sleeves and pants
• Avoid bushy and wooded areas
• Perform thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors