A rarely diagnosed tick-borne virus for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment has been confirmed in New York City for the first time. This has prompted researchers to warn of the possibility of additional cases.
The Bourbon virus, "transmitted by the common star tick, may soon become more difficult to diagnose if its spread increases this summer and in subsequent years," Stony Brook Medical Center warned in a press release about the virus.
Since the first identification of Bourbon virus in Bourbon County, Kansas, where the first known patient was diagnosed in 2014, only six human cases have been reported. That patient subsequently died.
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The virus has been linked to at least two deaths, including the first case in 2014 and another reported in 2026. However, researchers believe many more cases are likely to remain undiagnosed.
Symptoms of the Bourbon virus include fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, and nausea. Because there is no commercially available diagnostic test, it is difficult for doctors to detect.
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Adult female Lone Star ticks can be identified by a white dot, or star, on their back.
The press release said many health care workers are also unfamiliar with the virus, "increasing the likelihood of misdiagnosis.".
A team of researchers led by Stony Brook Medical Center confirmed the first case of Bourbon virus infection in New York City, a patient from Long Island who developed severe symptoms and an eightfold increase in Bourbon virus antibody titers. The patient was hospitalized.
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«"New York City and the northeastern United States have very high numbers of star ticks, their populations are very dense, and when a person becomes infected with Bourbon virus, the symptoms are similar to those of other tick-borne infections," said Luis Marcos, a professor at Stony Brook University School of Medicine and director of the Tick-Borne Diseases Clinic, in a press release.
«"For these reasons, Bourbon virus is likely more common in our region than we think, and other cases are likely going undiagnosed.".
Marcos and his co-authors said their findings highlight the need for expanded epidemiological surveillance and improved testing methods to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and track the spread of the Bourbon virus.
People bitten by ticks should remove them as soon as possible.
«"Without identifying the cause of the infection, the chances of developing accurate diagnostic tests or effective treatments are minimal," he said. "That's why it's so important to first understand the true impact of the virus in high-risk areas.".
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "the star tick is widespread in the northeastern, southern, and midwestern United States.".
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According to the CDC, this tiny, blood-sucking parasitic spider has established populations in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
According to the agency, Lone Star ticks are classified as "aggressive ticks.".
To avoid tick bites, experts recommend wearing long pants and sleeves, using insect repellents, and avoiding overgrown areas.
«"The adult female can be identified by a white dot or 'lone star' on her back. Nymphs and adult females are most likely to bite people and spread diseases," reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite the severity of Bourbon virus, "only a few [ticks] bite and transmit bacteria, viruses, and parasites (pathogens) that cause illness in people," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To avoid tick bites, wear protective clothing, such as trousers that can be tucked into boots and long-sleeved shirts.
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Experts also recommend applying insect repellents, such as permethrin, to clothing and outdoor gear rather than directly to the skin.
Avoid tall grass and well-traveled trails whenever possible, as ticks thrive in overgrown and densely wooded areas.
After being outdoors, inspect yourself for ticks and remove them as soon as you find them. Consult a doctor if you develop a fever, rash, fatigue, or other flu-like symptoms within a few days or weeks of a tick bite.
Original article: No cure, no vaccine: Experts warn of rare 'Bourbon' virus after first case in New York