Bourbon Virus: A New Uncommon Tick-Borne Threat

Most of us think of tick bites as a risk for Lyme disease. But ticks can transmit a surprising number of other infections—including a rare and potentially deadly virus known as Bourbon virus.

First identified in Bourbon County, Kansas, in the United States in 2014, Bourbon virus is believed to be transmitted by ticks, particularly the lone star tick. It can cause fever, severe fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and abnormalities in the blood—including low white blood cells and low platelets.

In this episode, we’ll explore where Bourbon virus is found, how the lone star tick may spread it, what the illness looks like, why diagnosis can be difficult, and what wilderness travelers can do to prevent infection.