Serologic Survey of Hantavirus Infection, Brazilian Amazon

peridomestic infestation with T. infestans (35% and 21%, respectively), including urban infestation (9). Mendoza (not in our database) had considerable domestic and peridomestic infestations (both 7%), and San Luis (0.5% and 5.3%, respectively) and Rio Negro (both <0.1%) had low infestations in 2001 (4) and thereafter (C. Spillmann, unpub. data). Bolivia, Salta, and Jujuy are excluded as potential sources of the bug because haplotypes closely related to haplotype x were not found in these places. Active dispersal from a local source can be ruled out because there is no precedent for T. infestans in Comodoro Rivadavia, and the mean temperature in June (8°C) is below the known threshold for fl ight initiation (23°C) (10). Our results show that molecular phylogenetics can identify passive transport of insects into areas where a disease is not endemic and rule out putative sources supported only by circumstantial evidence. Our fi ndings reinforce the need for sustained and coordinated vector surveillance and control at a regional level (3).