On Aug. 30, 2012, a new phlebovirus, discovered in northwestern Missouri by Dr. Scott Folk of Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The new phlebovirus was named Heartland virus. Two cases of Heartland virus disease were identified. Both patients were residents of Missouri.

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

Phlebovirus are part of the family Bunyaviridae, which includes such nasties as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Hantaviruses, and Rift Valley Fever. There are more than 300 known Bunyaviruses.