The first case of Bourbon virus, for which there is no treatment or vaccine, has been recorded in New York.
Scientists have warned that a virus transmitted through the "lone star" tick, for which there is no specific cure, may be more widespread than expected.
The first case of infection with the rare Bourbon virus, transmitted through ticks, has been confirmed in the U.S. state of New York. Fox News reported this.
Experts warn that there may be other patients infected with the virus, but they are going undetected due to the difficulty of diagnosis. Scientists at Stony Brook Medicine detected the virus in a patient living on Long Island. Laboratory tests conducted on the patient, who was hospitalized in serious condition, confirmed the Bourbon virus.
According to experts, the virus is transmitted through the "lone star" tick. The main symptoms of the disease include high fever, weakness, rash, headache and muscle pain, as well as nausea. Currently, there is neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment method against the Bourbon virus.
Doctors note that because the symptoms of the disease are similar to other tick-borne infections, and there is no widely used diagnostic test to detect the Bourbon virus, many cases may go unnoticed.
The Bourbon virus was first detected in the U.S. state of Kansas in 2014. Since then, only six cases have been officially recorded worldwide. The virus has been linked to the deaths of at least two people, but scientists say the actual number of infections may be higher.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Lone Star tick is widespread in the northeastern, southern, and central regions of the country. Therefore, experts recommend that citizens follow precautionary measures in nature and consult a doctor if fever or other symptoms occur after a tick bite.
