A tick bite incident in New York has unveiled a diagnostic issue that might surface more frequently. A patient treated for Lyme disease was actually infected with the Bourbon virus, a rare tick-borne illness lacking a vaccine or cure. This case is detailed in a recent study confirming the first known Bourbon virus infection in New York State, specifically in Long Island. The research, published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, emphasizes the evolving nature of tick-borne diseases.
Tick-Borne Diseases and Climate Change
Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of Infectious Disease at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, explained to Newsweek that tick-borne diseases are spreading to new areas due to climate changes. “Regions traditionally experiencing longer, colder winters or substantial snow cover are now more suitable for ticks,” Saggar noted. “As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns evolve, ticks can spread northward and thrive in new ecosystems.”
A Misleading Diagnosis
According to the study authors, the patient was initially diagnosed with Lyme disease and prescribed the antibiotic doxycycline. However, symptoms such as fatigue and severe headaches persisted. “This particular case was indeed Bourbon virus,” said Luis Marcos, the study’s lead author and a professor at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. “The patient exhibited very severe symptoms, necessitating hospitalization.” Early symptoms of Bourbon virus mimic those of Lyme disease, explaining the initial diagnostic error. Without a commercial test available for Bourbon virus, suspected cases require specialized testing at the state health department.
How the Case Was Detected
The discovery stemmed from a broader study of 107 individuals in Suffolk County, New York, who experienced fever and other symptoms following a tick bite between 2019 and 2024. The group’s blood samples were screened for three tick-borne viruses: Powassan, Heartland, and Bourbon. Antibodies for Bourbon virus were found in two patients, while one had antibodies for Heartland virus. No Powassan virus cases were detected. A fourfold increase in antibody levels in two patients indicated recent or active infection, highlighting the necessity for expanded testing and monitoring of these lesser-known viruses.
Bourbon Virus and Its Implications
Bourbon virus, first identified in 2014, is named after Bourbon County, Kansas, where it was discovered. Though rare and primarily found in the central U.S., this case suggests its potential spread. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, and nausea. The virus is transmitted by the common lone star tick, which poses a medical concern due to its association with meat allergies.
Preventing Tick Bites
Saggar highlighted that tick-borne illnesses are most prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England, along with parts of the Midwest and West, including Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Over the past two decades, Lyme disease cases have doubled or tripled as tick habitats expand. He advised wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves, and long pants tucked into socks when hiking since ticks are attracted to darker colors. Insect repellents with DEET and permethrin-treated clothing are also effective.
After outdoor activities, Saggar recommended thoroughly checking the body for ticks, particularly behind the knees, in the groin, under the arms, and along the scalp, promptly removing any ticks found. “In some instances, healthcare providers may prescribe doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis if a tick is believed to have been attached for 48 to 72 hours,” he added.
Bateman, V. A., et al. (2026). Evidence of Heartland and Bourbon Viruses Transmitted by Ticks in Suffolk County, New York. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.26-0012.