New strain of tick borne virus proves deadly for Kansas man

Morel mushroom season will be here soon, as with it comes tick season. While there have been ongoing concerns about other tick-borne viruses, such as Lyme Disease, now a 50 year old Bourbon county Kansas man has died from complications from a new strain, according to the CDC.

Yesterday, the center confirmed the man died from the Bourbon Virus (named from the location of the first case) after suffering multiple tick bites while working on his property in the Spring of 2014. The man fell ill within two days, was hospitalized, and died from a heart attack 11 days after becoming ill. While the man was hospitalized, test results for infectious diseases were taken and sent to the CDC where the new virus was confirmed to be carried by ticks.

Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses carried by ticks which include fever, tiredness, rash, headaches, body aches, nausea and vomiting. It was determined the man had low blood counts as well, which prevented the body from fighting the infection.

Although this is the first confirmed case of the Bourbon virus, the CDC says it's quite likely more such cases will arise through tick and other insect bites.

In any case, the best protection from tick bites includes using insect repellents, wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, and avoiding brushy and wooded areas if possible. Mostly, take time to inspect for ticks after spending time outdoors.

The Bourbon virus is part of a group of viruses linked to tick/insect bites in Europe, Asia and Africa. This is the first reported instance of a virus in this group, known as thogotoviruses, in the United States.
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