Officials at Heartland Regional Medical Center say a new human pathogen was discovered at the hospital.

Officials say the pathogen is named the “Heartland Virus.” A report on the discovery was published this week in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

A formal announcement is scheduled Thursday.

 

In the paper, authors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr. Scott Folk, author from Heartland Health, describe two cases of illness caused by this novel virus. Both patients had tick bites in the days leading up to their illness, and were hospitalized in 2009 with multiple symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue and diarrhea. Both patients recovered.

Officials say there is much yet to be learned about Heartland virus. CDC is working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, local health departments, and several healthcare facilities in Missouri to determine symptoms and potential severity of the disease, the geographic extent of the disease, how people are infected and ways to prevent infections.

A news conference is scheduled Thursday, at which officials will offer more information about the virus.