A routine tick bite is often associated with well-known illnesses such as Lyme disease. However, health experts say another much rarer virus is now drawing attention after New York reported its first confirmed human case.

The discovery has prompted researchers to encourage greater awareness among both healthcare providers and the public. Although Bourbon virus infections remain extremely uncommon, specialists note that recognizing the illness can be challenging because its early symptoms resemble several other tick-borne diseases.

New York Confirms Its First Bourbon Virus Case

Researchers at Stony Brook Medicine recently confirmed the first documented case of Bourbon virus infection in New York State.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the patient, who lived on Long Island, sought medical care after experiencing severe illness following a tick bite.

Initially, the condition was believed to be Lyme disease because many of the symptoms overlapped with more common tick-related infections.

However, when the patient did not improve as expected, additional laboratory testing was performed by the New York State Department of Health.

Those tests detected a strong antibody response consistent with Bourbon virus infection, leading researchers to confirm the diagnosis.

What Is Bourbon Virus?

Bourbon virus is a rare virus transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).

The virus was first identified in 2014 after a patient in Bourbon County, Kansas, became seriously ill. Since then, only a small number of confirmed human infections have been reported in the United States.

Because confirmed cases are uncommon, researchers continue to study how frequently infections occur and how widely the virus may be distributed.

Which Tick Spreads the Virus?

The lone star tick has expanded its geographic range in recent decades and is now found across much of the eastern and central United States.

Unlike some other tick species, lone star ticks actively seek hosts rather than waiting passively on vegetation.

They may feed on:

• Deer
• Small mammals
• Birds
• Domestic animals
• Humans

Although these ticks are already known to transmit several illnesses, including ehrlichiosis, researchers continue to investigate their role in spreading Bourbon virus.

Symptoms Can Resemble Other Tick-Borne Illnesses

One reason Bourbon virus can be difficult to recognize is that its early symptoms are not unique.

Reported symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Rash
• Nausea

These symptoms overlap with several other illnesses that may occur after tick exposure, making diagnosis more complicated.

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and illness severity can vary between individuals.

Why Diagnosis Can Be Challenging

 

Health experts say Bourbon virus may sometimes go unrecognized because healthcare providers naturally consider more common tick-borne diseases first.

In the recently reported New York case, the patient was initially treated for Lyme disease before further testing suggested another cause.

Currently, there is no widely available commercial rapid test specifically designed to diagnose Bourbon virus infection during routine clinical care.

Instead, confirmation often requires specialized laboratory testing performed by public health laboratories.

Because of these limitations, researchers believe additional infections could potentially go undiagnosed, although the true number remains unknown.

Is There a Specific Treatment?

Since Bourbon virus is caused by a virus rather than bacteria, antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for bacterial infections such as Lyme disease are not effective against the virus itself.

At present:

• No specific antiviral treatment has been approved for Bourbon virus.
• No vaccine is currently available.
• Medical care generally focuses on supporting the patient while the illness runs its course.

Researchers continue studying the virus to improve diagnosis and better understand potential treatment approaches.

How Common Is Bourbon Virus?

Despite increased attention, Bourbon virus remains rare.

Only a limited number of confirmed human cases have been reported since the virus was first identified.

However, scientists caution that rarity does not necessarily mean the virus is absent from other areas.

As awareness grows and diagnostic testing improves, public health officials hope to gain a clearer understanding of how frequently infections occur.

Protecting Yourself From Tick Bites

Because several illnesses can be transmitted through tick bites, prevention remains the best strategy.

Health experts recommend:

• Wearing long sleeves and long pants when walking through wooded or grassy areas.
• Using EPA-registered insect repellents when appropriate.
• Performing thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors.
• Showering soon after outdoor activities when possible.
• Promptly and carefully removing attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers.

Keeping lawns maintained and avoiding tall vegetation can also help reduce exposure around homes.

Why Public Awareness Matters

Researchers involved in the New York case say awareness is especially important because symptoms may resemble more familiar illnesses.

Healthcare providers may consider Bourbon virus among several possibilities when evaluating patients with compatible symptoms and a history of tick exposure, particularly if more common diagnoses do not fully explain the illness.

At the same time, experts emphasize that the vast majority of tick bites do not result in Bourbon virus infection.

A Reminder About Tick Safety

The confirmation of New York’s first Bourbon virus case highlights the importance of continued research into emerging tick-borne diseases.

While infections remain uncommon, understanding the range of illnesses carried by ticks helps improve diagnosis, public awareness, and prevention efforts.

For anyone spending time outdoors, simple protective measures—such as avoiding tick habitats when possible, checking for ticks after outdoor activities, and seeking medical advice if concerning symptoms develop after a tick bite—remain practical ways to reduce health risks.

Sources

• American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Stony Brook Medicine
• New York State Department of Health
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)