A 67-year-old Brookhaven Town resident named Michael Larkin has been diagnosed with the rare Bourbon virus, marking what is determined to be the first known case of the tick-borne illness in New York, according to reports published in May by CBS News and last month by Stony Brook Medicine in a paper for the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Michael Larkin Diagnosed With Bourbon Virus After Year-Long Study
Michael Larkin contracted the virus after two ticks stuck to his leg while he was landscaping his backyard, according to CBS News. He progressively felt worse and worse, suffering from symptoms that included fever, fatigue, rashes, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Dr. Luis Marcos and the medical team at Stony Brook Medicine successfully diagnosed Larkin following a year-long study to identify his illness.
Did You Know? The Bourbon virus was first discovered in 2014 and is named after Bourbon County, Kansas, where the initial case was identified, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Transmission Risks and Symptoms of the Bourbon Virus
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the Bourbon virus is believed to spread through tick bites, likely from the lone star tick. The virus currently has no vaccine or treatment. Symptoms mirror other tick-borne infections and can include fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, nausea, and vomiting, alongside lower-than-normal counts of white blood cells and platelets.
Dr. Luis Marcos noted that the virus is likely more prevalent than people assume due to these symptom overlaps. “Now we know the virus can be lethal. On Long Island, at least, we have a lot of lone star ticks,” Marcos told CBS News. “And honestly, this may be the very, very tip of the iceberg.”
Geographic Spread and Historical Cases
While the New York case highlights a new regional footprint, cases of the Bourbon virus have also been reported in the Midwest, the East Coast, and the South. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the patient in 2014 and another patient in 2026 passed away as a result of the virus, including a Missouri State Park employee who contracted the condition. Conversely, Nexstar’s KFOR reported that an Oklahoma patient diagnosed in 2015 survived the infection.
In addition to the Bourbon virus, lone star ticks are known carriers of other diseases, such as the Heartland virus, ehrlichiosis, and alpha-gal syndrome, which can induce an allergy to red meat and other animal products.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Bourbon virus transmitted to humans?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the Bourbon virus is believed to spread through tick bites, likely those of the lone star tick.
What are the symptoms of the Bourbon virus?
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, nausea, and vomiting, as well as lower-than-normal counts of white blood cells and platelets.
Are there treatments or vaccines available for the Bourbon virus?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus currently has no vaccine or treatment.
What steps do you take to protect yourself from tick bites while working outdoors in your yard?
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