Rare Bourbon Virus Detected in New York for the First Time

The first recorded human case of the rare tick-borne Bourbon virus in New York State has been confirmed. The disease was diagnosed in a 67-year-old man from Long Island who became ill after being bitten by a lone star tick while working in his yard.

The patient initially experienced a high fever, severe headache, weakness and other symptoms. Diagnosis was difficult because the symptoms resembled those of other tick-borne infections. Subsequent specialized testing confirmed that he had the Bourbon virus.

Experts say that the virus is primarily carried by the tick known as the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Studies have shown that the virus has been present among ticks and white-tailed deer on Long Island since at least 2019.

The Bourbon virus was first identified in 2014 in Bourbon County, Kansas. Very few human cases have been reported to date. However, scientists suspect the disease may be more widespread than official statistics indicate. This may also be due to the lack of standard commercial tests for detecting the virus.

There is currently no specific vaccine or approved treatment for the Bourbon virus. Experts therefore stress the importance of protecting against tick bites, wearing covering clothing outdoors and checking the body regularly.