TRANSMISSION OF TICK-BORNE BUNYAVIRUSES BY COFEEDING IXODID TICKS

Palma and Bhanja bunyaviruses replicated in Dermacentor marginatus, D. reticulatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. appendiculatus and Ixodes r icinus ticks after parenteral inoculation and appropriate incubation a nd feeding. Palma virus was transmitted to D. marginatus and D. reticu latus males, D. reticulatus and R. sanguineus females, and R. appendic ulatus nymphs while cofeeding with infected ticks on laboratory mice. Bhanja virus was transmitted to D. marginatus males and R. appendicula tus nymphs. Laboratory mice developed low levels of viraemia detectabl e only by intracranial (i.c.) inoculation of newborne laboratory mice.