Published August 6, 2026 05:21PM
Most hikers and campers are aware of the potential risk of getting Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or similar diseases from a tick bite. But a May 2026 study published by Stony Brook University doctors and researchers in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (AJTMH) suggested that a rare and potentially fatal tick-borne disease might be on the rise: Bourbon virus.
The doctors confirmed New York state’s first-ever case of the virus in the AJTMH study, which detailed how two patients who developed a fever after a tick bite in Suffolk County, New York, had antibodies to Bourbon virus. Of those, one person had high-enough antibody levels that suggested they were recently infected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is currently no known cure or vaccine for Bourbon virus.
“The reality is, there is probably a lot more of this virus going around than we think,” Dr. Thomas Russo, an infectious disease doctor at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Outside.
With that in mind, disease experts say that Bourbon virus is yet another tickborne illness that should be on your radar for people who spend significant time outdoors. Here’s what you need to know.
What Exactly Is Bourbon Virus?
Bourbon virus is a tickborne disease that was first detected in 2014 in Bourbon County, Kansas. The CDC says it likely spreads through the bite of an infected Lone Star tick. (Lone Star ticks are also responsible for alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat.)
Since the initial case, the virus has been detected in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri and some eastern and southern states. “The Lone Star tick’s geographic range seems to be increasing,” Russo said. “It’s possible that we may see more Bourbon virus as a result.”
“Most tickborne diseases people think of—Lyme, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever—are bacterial, and babesiosis is a parasite,” Dr. Amesh Adalja told Outside. Adalja is a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore, Maryland. “All of those respond to antibiotics or antiparasitics,” he said. In other words, because Bourbon virus is a virus, none of the treatments that work against the diseases listed above will treat it.
How Deadly Is It and Should You Be Scared?
While cases of Bourbon virus are increasing across the country, this is still considered a rare disease, Russo says. “Clinically, I’ve never seen a case,” he said.
But Bourbon virus can be fatal. “Not many confirmed human cases have ever been identified, and deaths have occurred,” Dr. Adalja says. “However, many cases are going undiagnosed, so the case fatality ratio will be skewed by the small number of reported cases.”
Overall, Russo says you don’t have to stress too much about Bourbon virus, but heightened awareness that it exists will serve you well as you navigate the outdoors.
What Are the Symptoms of Bourbon Virus?
Symptoms can include a fever, fatigue, rash, headache and body aches, nausea, and vomiting, per the CDC.
“We see these symptoms with other infections as well, so these are not particularly discriminatory,” Russo said. “If someone came to me today that has those non-specific symptoms, I’m not sure I could make the diagnosis.” In other words, you would still need exact confirmation of which tick-related illness you have.
Can You Get Tested?
There’s also no commercially available way to test for it, but your doctor can send your blood samples to health officials at the CDC for a diagnosis. However, it may take time to receive your results.
How Is Bourbon Virus Treated?
Unfortunately, Bourbon virus isn’t easy to treat. “There’s no antiviral for it and no vaccine,” Dr. Adalja says. Instead, the virus is managed with supportive care, he said. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers for more mild symptoms.
According to Adalja, if you’re receiving treatment for a tick disease and nothing is working, there’s a chance that you could be infected with Bourbon.
Is There a Way to Avoid Getting Bourbon Virus?
The best way to lower the risk of Bourbon virus is to do what you can to avoid tick bites. “The prevention is identical to every other tickborne disease: use tick repellent, wear clothing that is not conducive to tick bites, do a full-body tick check after being outdoors, and remove any attached tick promptly,” Adalja said.
While tick bites happen, doctors stress that they are often preventable. “The key for not only Bourbon virus, but all the other tickborne illnesses, is to try to not get bitten by ticks,” Russo said.
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