Information from: Arbovirus Reference Branch, Vector-Borne Diseases Division, CDC, P.O.Box 2087, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, 26 January 1977.

Antigenic group: Phlebotomus fever (PHL) group.

Original source: Isolated by J. S. Lazuick from blood of apparently well adult male Neotoma micropus (pack rat), collected by live trapping on 5 December 1973 at Reed Ranch, Cameron County, Texas, Lat. 26°01'N, Long. 97°17'W. Habitat: Semiarid, mesquite-acacia savannah. Storage: Frozen on Dry Ice and then electrical deep freezer at -60°C.

Method of isolation in laboratory: Inoculated ic into infant mice and onto Vero cellcultures on 15 January 1974. Plaques, 3-4 mm in size, observed in Vero cells on day 8.

Validity of isolation: Virus reisolated. In addition, two other strains isolated from and antibody detected in N. micropus.