Home / Health / Tick Bite Leads to Rare Bourbon Virus Diagnosis
Tick Bite Leads to Rare Bourbon Virus Diagnosis
27 May
Summary
- A man contracted a rare Bourbon virus after a tick bite.
- Symptoms included debilitating headaches and fever.
- Stony Brook doctors diagnosed the extremely rare infection.
A man on Long Island is recovering after being diagnosed with the extremely rare Bourbon virus, a disease for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment.
Michael Larkin, 67, experienced a severe downturn in health following tick bites while gardening. Initial tests for Lyme disease were negative, and his condition worsened with high fever and intense headaches.
Doctors at Stony Brook University Hospital eventually diagnosed the Bourbon virus, which was first discovered in Kansas in 2014. They emphasized the presence of lone star ticks on Long Island and suggested this case might be just the tip of the iceberg.
Larkin's doctors hope his experience raises public awareness about tick-borne illnesses and encourages greater protection and inspection. They advise using bright lights and mirrors for tick checks and considering permethrin-treated clothing.
