By 5 Towns Central Staff

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. (July 31, 2026) — Public health officials and medical researchers have confirmed the first recorded human case of the rare Bourbon virus in New York State, following extensive laboratory analysis of a Long Island resident infected several years ago.

The patient, a resident of Suffolk County, originally sustained bites from lone star ticks while performing outdoor work in 2021. After developing a severe progression of symptoms, including high fever, persistent night sweats, body aches, skin rashes, and debilitating headaches, he sought medical treatment. Initial standard evaluations for common regional tick-borne conditions such as Lyme disease yielded negative results. Because viral pathogens do not respond to standard antibiotic therapy, his health continued to decline, eventually requiring emergency hospital admission and supportive care.

A definitive diagnosis remained elusive for years due to the absence of commercially available diagnostic testing for the virus. The patient was eventually identified after participating in an extended multi-year medical research study examining unresolved tick-related illnesses. Subsequent specialized testing conducted on archived blood specimens confirmed the presence of antibodies specific to the Bourbon virus.

First identified in 2014, the Bourbon virus is a rare pathogen predominantly transmitted through the bite of lone star ticks, which are identifiable by a distinct white marking on their backs. The species has expanded rapidly across regional brush and woodland areas alongside growing deer populations and milder winter climates. Because symptoms closely mirror bacterial infections like Lyme disease or ehrlichiosis, medical experts warn that the virus may be underdiagnosed across the region.

There are currently no approved vaccines, targeted antiviral treatments, or commercial diagnostic kits for the Bourbon virus. Hospital care remains limited to supportive measures such as intravenous hydration and pain management. Health authorities advise community members to exercise heightened caution outdoors by utilizing insect repellents, wearing protective gear treated with permethrin, avoiding dense brush, and conducting thorough tick inspections following outdoor activity.