STONY BROOK, NY — Ticks are part of everyday life on Long Island, and most people already know the drill on Lyme disease. A recently confirmed Bourbon virus case in Suffolk County adds another name to the list, and it is one many residents may not recognize.
The illness is rare, but doctors say the case is a useful reminder that ticks can spread more than one infection. Knowing what Bourbon virus is, how it shows up and what to do after a bite can help people stay active outdoors with a little more confidence.
1. Bourbon virus is rare, but it is real
Bourbon virus is a tick-borne virus believed to spread mainly through the bite of an infected lone star tick. It was first identified in 2014 in Bourbon County, Kansas, and only a small number of human cases have been reported in the United States since then.
That rarity matters, but so does the fact that the virus exists at all. Researchers are still learning how often it appears and why some people become very sick while others do not. Unlike Lyme disease, it is caused by a virus rather than bacteria, so it is handled differently by doctors.
2. The Suffolk County case put a new spotlight on it
Long Island drew attention because physicians at Stony Brook Medicine diagnosed the first confirmed case of Bourbon virus in New York State. That does not mean the illness is spreading widely, but it does show that local doctors are now seeing it closely enough to identify it.
Long Island has a large population of lone star ticks, which are believed to carry the virus. Because Bourbon virus can look like other tick-borne illnesses, some infections may be missed or mistaken for something more familiar. The overall risk remains low, but recognition can speed up care.
3. The early symptoms can look like the flu
People with Bourbon virus often start with symptoms that feel ordinary at first. The list can include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, rash, nausea and vomiting.
That overlap is part of the problem, since those same signs can happen with other illnesses and other tick-borne infections common on Long Island. If flu-like symptoms appear after a tick bite, or after time in wooded or grassy areas, it is important to tell a healthcare provider about the possible exposure.
4. What you do after finding a tick matters
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it right away with fine-tipped tweezers and pull straight upward with steady pressure. Afterward, wash the bite area with soap and water.
It also helps to note when and where the bite happened. Then watch closely over the next several days for fever, unusual fatigue, body aches or other flu-like symptoms. Those details can help a clinician decide whether further evaluation or testing is needed.
5. Some cases can become serious
Most people will never develop Bourbon virus, but doctors caution that the illness can become serious in some cases. Symptoms that continue to worsen, especially a high fever or increasing fatigue, should not be ignored after a tick bite.
Prompt medical care gives providers a chance to monitor the illness, rule out other tick-borne diseases and offer supportive treatment. The source notes that early evaluation is the best way to sort out what is causing the symptoms and how to respond.
6. Testing and treatment are limited
Testing for Bourbon virus is not routinely available in most healthcare settings. Because the disease is uncommon and its symptoms overlap with more familiar infections, doctors may first look for Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome or other illnesses seen in the region.
There is no specific antiviral medication or vaccine for Bourbon virus. Treatment is supportive and may include rest, hydration, fever relief, monitoring for complications and hospital care if the illness becomes severe. Many people recover with that kind of care.
7. Prevention is still the best defense
The best way to lower your risk is to avoid tick bites in the first place. Health experts recommend an EPA-registered insect repellent, long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas, and light-colored clothing that makes ticks easier to spot.
After spending time outdoors, check your whole body, shower soon after coming inside and remove any attached ticks promptly. Those same steps also help reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses that are common on Long Island.
What Long Island readers should remember
Bourbon virus has gotten attention because of a confirmed local case, but it remains rare. For most people, the practical takeaway is familiar: prevent tick bites, check for ticks and pay attention to new symptoms after time outside.
If fever, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms show up after a bite, contact a healthcare provider and mention the possible exposure. That simple step can help clinicians identify the cause faster and choose the right care.
