PHEA Fellow Entomological Society of America, Colorado, United States
Heartland virus (HRTV) and Bourbon virus (BRBV) are emerging public health threats within the greater scope of increasing tickborne disease nationwide. HRTV and BRBV are both vectored by the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum), an aggressive tick currently expanding its range west. Nebraska sits at the edge of this expansion, raising concerns about HRTV or BRBV introduction to naive populations. To address these concerns, we conducted a large-scale active surveillance study spanning over 31 counties selected based on public health surveillance necessity from 2022 to 2024. Via drag sampling we collected over 2,500 A. americanum from April to October. Ticks were pooled by sex and life stage and will be screened for both viruses using RT-qPCR. Our study represents one of the first, large scale surveillance efforts for HRTV and BRBV in Nebraska and provides a baseline for investigations into tickborne disease in the region. These results will provide essential details to local clinicians and public health agencies to inform diagnostic gaps and vector surveillance initiatives.
