The bourbon virus transmitted by ticks was discovered by US experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bourbon virus is worse than the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, because it can lead to death within a few or several days after a tick bite. There is no cure for it. Check what exactly is the Bourbon virus and what are the symptoms of the infection.

Contents:

  1. Bourbon virus - what is it?
  2. Bourbon virus worse than Lyme disease. Symptoms of Bourbon virus infection
  3. Bourbon virus - treatment. How to prevent infection?

The Bourbonvirus transmitted by ticks was discovered by US experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It appeared in 2014 in the United States, and by July 2022 it had affected (and only in this country) 5 people (these are confirmed cases).

Bourbon virus - what is it?

Bourbon virus is a virus of the genus Thogotovirus, belonging to the Orthomyxovirus family - the same as influenza virus type A and B, and Thogoto virus and Dhori virus - viruses transmitted by ticks and causing fever and encephalitis.

The Bourbon virus is also transmitted by ticks (possibly other insects as well), but it attacks and destroys white blood cells, and at a very fast pace. There is no cure or vaccine for him.

Bourbon virus worse than Lyme disease. Symptoms of Bourbon virus infection

Bourbon virus is worse than Lyme disease, because it can lead to death within a few or several days after being bitten by an infected tick. There are several such cases known in the world. The first of them was confirmed in 2014.

A 50-year-old man living in Bourbon County (Kansas, USA) was bitten by a tick. Within the next two days from the moment of being bitten, he became ill. The man complained about:

  • fatigue
  • rash
  • headaches
  • muscle and joint pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • fever

After three consecutive days, he went to the doctor. However, the therapy he recommended did not help. He was then sent to hospital and died 11 days after being bitten by the tickas a result of circulatory and respiratory failure .¹

Erin Staples, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, found that the man's symptoms were similar to meningitis or encephalitis, but it was not the disease. That's when doctors discovered a new virus after examining the patient's blood sample.

The virus is named after the county where it first became infected. The symptoms are very similar to meningitis or encephalitis.

Another victim of the Bourbon virus was Tamela Wilson, 58, an American, who was bitten by two ticks while working in Meramec State Park (Missouri, USA) .² She removed them and continued working. After a few days, the woman began to complain of fever and nausea.

The doctor diagnosed her with urinary tract inflammation and prescribed an antibiotic. However, a week later her condition worsened. The woman was admitted to a hospital ward in Missouri. She had very low white blood cell counts and pneumonia.

Died on June 23, 2022. The results of the research confirmed that the Bourbon virus is to blame for everything. The patient's family donated her body to research in the hope that doctors would be able to learn more about the virus.

  • Home remedies for ticks
  • How to remove a tick step by step
  • Tick-borne diseases: Lyme disease, babesiosis, bartonellosis, TBE and others

Bourbon virus - what is it?

Source: youtube.com/The University of Kansas He alth System

Worth knowing

Bourbon virus - treatment. How can I prevent infection?

The Bourbon virus has no cure or vaccine, says Dr. Morey Gardner, director of the Infectious Diseases Center at St. Mary's Hospital, where Tamela Wilson went .³ Therefore, you should protect yourself from being bitten by ticks. Dr. Gardner recommends the use of repellants. Wearing long-sleeved blouses and trousers, and avoiding wooded areas, will also help. It is also important to do a thorough full body check after spending time outdoors.

Ticks - how to prevent bites?

About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish Woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized byAssociation.

Read more articles by this author

Category:

Parasitic diseases