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First New York Case of Rare Bourbon Virus Highlights Tick Dangers

A Long Island man was diagnosed with Bourbon virus, a rare, untreatable tick-borne illness first found in Kansas, marking the first known case in New York. Doctors warn the virus may be underdiagnosed in the Northeast, where Lone Star ticks are common.

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First New York Case of Rare Bourbon Virus Highlights Tick Dangers

First New York Case of Rare Bourbon Virus Highlights Tick Dangers

The short answer

Bourbon virus is a pathogen spread by the bite of an infected Lone Star tick, first discovered in Bourbon County, Kansas, in 2014. It causes symptoms similar to other tick-borne diseases, including fever, headache, fatigue, night sweats, and muscle aches. There is no specific treatment or vaccine, and it can be fatal — Stony Brook Medicine reports at least two deaths, one in 2014 and another in 2026. The virus made headlines in July 2026 when it was confirmed in New York for the first time. Michael Larkin, 67, of Long Island, was bitten in his backyard in 2021 and suffered debilitating symptoms for five years. After being misdiagnosed with Lyme disease, he was eventually diagnosed by Dr. Luis Marcos at Stony Brook Medicine in April 2026. Larkin spent days in the hospital receiving supportive care before recovering, USA Today reported. Doctors say the condition may be more common than thought. Marcos studied 107 patients with tick-related symptoms between 2019 and 2024, and published the case in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Because Lone Star ticks are abundant in the Northeast, he told USA Today, 'the Bourbon virus is likely more prevalent than we think in our region and other cases are likely not being diagnosed.'

Why it's trending

Search interest spiked after national outlets covered the July 1, 2026 news conference led by Sen. Chuck Schumer and Stony Brook Medicine announcing New York's first confirmed Bourbon virus case. USA Today's July 31 report — headlined 'Doctor says cases of this deadly tick-borne virus may go undetected' — amplified the alert, and summer tick season has made the topic urgent for outdoor enthusiasts.

The first known case of Bourbon virus in New York was confirmed in April 2026, according to Stony Brook Medicine and reported by USA Today and FOX Weather. Patient Michael Larkin, 67, of Long Island, was diagnosed after a five-year battle with severe symptoms following a 2021 tick bite in his backyard. He has since recovered, though the illness is untreatable and potentially fatal.

Larkin was initially misdiagnosed with Lyme disease because Bourbon virus symptoms overlap with other tick-borne infections, Stony Brook's Dr. Luis Marcos told USA Today. Marcos, who directs the university's Tick-borne Disease Clinic, told FOX Weather that the patient's antibody titers rose eight-fold over one month. A study by his team of 107 people with fever and tick symptoms from 2019 to 2024 suggests cases often go unrecognized, he said; the findings were published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Bourbon virus was first identified in 2014 in Bourbon County, Kansas, and is named for that location, the CDC and Stony Brook Medicine said. It is spread by Lone Star ticks, which are common in the Northeast, and has no known treatment. Stony Brook Medicine confirmed at least two deaths linked to the virus — one in 2014 and another in 2026. Sen. Chuck Schumer held a news conference with Stony Brook on July 1 to draw attention to the case.

The diagnosis raises concerns that Bourbon virus is more common than reported. Marcos told USA Today that dense Lone Star tick populations in the region mean 'other cases are likely not being diagnosed.' Health officials urge tick precautions, especially during summer months, and say anyone with persistent fever, headache, or fatigue after a tick bite should seek medical evaluation.

Timeline

  1. Bourbon virus discovered

    First identified in Bourbon County, Kansas, according to the CDC and Stony Brook Medicine.

  2. First known death

    The initial Bourbon virus case was fatal, Stony Brook Medicine said.

  3. Stony Brook study conducted

    Researchers monitored 107 patients with fever and tick-borne illness symptoms; findings published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, per FOX Weather.

  4. Long Island man bitten by tick

    Michael Larkin, 67, was bitten in his backyard and began suffering fevers, headaches and night sweats, he told USA Today.

  5. First New York case diagnosed

    Stony Brook Medicine's Dr. Luis Marcos confirmed Larkin's Bourbon virus infection after years of misdiagnosis; patient recovered after hospital care, according to USA Today and FOX Weather.

  6. Second death from Bourbon virus

    Stony Brook Medicine confirmed another fatal case in 2026, though details were not specified.

  7. Schumer news conference

    Sen. Chuck Schumer joined Stony Brook doctors to announce the first New York case, per USA Today.

  8. National media coverage

    USA Today published a report on the virus's potential to go undetected, triggering wider search interest.

Questions people ask

What is Bourbon virus and how is it spread?

Bourbon virus is a rare, potentially fatal pathogen first found in 2014 in Kansas, according to the CDC. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected Lone Star tick. There is no specific treatment or vaccine; doctors provide supportive care. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches, similar to other tick-borne diseases.

Is there a cure or treatment for Bourbon virus?

No antiviral treatment exists for Bourbon virus, according to the CDC and Stony Brook Medicine. Patients receive supportive care, such as fluids and symptom management. Michael Larkin was hospitalized for days before recovering, USA Today reported.

Why did it take years to diagnose Michael Larkin?

The virus is rare and symptoms overlap with more common conditions like Lyme disease, according to USA Today. Larkin was initially treated for Lyme in 2021. Stony Brook doctors used extensive testing and found his antibodies rose eight-fold over a month, leading to the diagnosis in April 2026.

Should people in the Northeast be worried about Bourbon virus?

Dr. Luis Marcos told USA Today and FOX Weather that the virus is 'likely more prevalent than we think' in the region because Lone Star ticks are common. He advises tick prevention and prompt removal, and urges people with persistent symptoms after a bite to seek evaluation.

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