AI Generated Image
First case of potentially fatal Bourbon virus confirmed in New York
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- For the first time, Bourbon virus, a rare tick-borne infection, has been confirmed in New York after Michael Larkin, 67, was infected by lone star ticks in Suffolk County.
- Bourbon virus has no vaccine, commercial test, or specific treatment, and its symptoms resemble other tick-borne illnesses, often leading to misdiagnosis, as occurred in Larkin’s case.
- The virus is carried by lone star ticks, which rely on white-tailed deer populations that have increased significantly, especially in suburban areas, contributing to greater tick exposure.
- Cases of Bourbon virus have been rare and mostly reported in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, with some fatalities, but experts believe the virus is likely more prevalent and underdiagnosed in New York and other regions.
- Health officials emphasize the need for improved surveillance, testing, and doctor guidance, and recommend preventive measures such as avoiding tick habitats and using insect repellents to reduce tick bites.
