The first case of infection with the rare Bourbon virus, transmitted through ticks, has been confirmed in the U.S. state of New York. Scientists say the virus may be far more widespread than officially recorded. Fox News reported.
According to reports, a patient living on Long Island was hospitalized in serious condition, and laboratory tests confirmed Bourbon virus in the patient.
Experts say the virus is transmitted through the “lone star” tick, and its symptoms include high fever, weakness, rash, headache and muscle pain, as well as nausea.
Most concerning, there is currently neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment for the Bourbon virus. Also, because there is no widely available diagnostic test to detect it, many cases may not be officially counted.
The Bourbon virus was first detected in 2014 in the U.S. state of Kansas. Although only a few cases have been officially recorded worldwide so far, scientists emphasize that the actual number of infected people may be much higher.
