Bourbon virus disease is a rare illness believed to spread through the bite of an infected tick. Possible symptoms include fever, severe tiredness, headache, body aches, rash, nausea and vomiting.
There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral medicine for Bourbon virus. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the patient while the body responds to the infection.
The disease is rare, and only a limited number of cases have been identified in the United States. Anyone who develops fever or other unusual symptoms after a tick bite should contact a healthcare professional instead of attempting to diagnose the illness at home.
Bourbon Virus Disease: Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
| What causes it? | Infection with Bourbon virus |
| How does it spread? | Believed to spread through infected tick bites |
| Is it common? | No, reported cases are rare |
| Common symptoms | Fever, fatigue, rash, headache and body aches |
| Is there a vaccine? | No |
| Is there a specific treatment? | No; medical care is supportive |
| Do antibiotics treat it? | No, antibiotics do not treat viruses |
| Best prevention | Avoid tick bites and remove attached ticks promptly |
What Is Bourbon Virus?
Bourbon virus is an RNA virus belonging to the genus Thogotovirus. It was discovered in 2014 after a patient from Bourbon County, Kansas, developed a severe illness following tick exposure.
Researchers named the virus after the county where it was first identified. The initial investigation was published in the CDC’s peer-reviewed journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases. The study linked the infection with fever, low white blood cell counts and low platelet counts. (wwwnc.cdc.gov)
According to the CDC’s Bourbon virus overview, cases have been reported mainly in the Midwest and southern United States. However, the small number of identified cases means scientists still have limited information about its full geographic distribution.
How Does Bourbon Virus Spread?
Bourbon virus is believed to spread when an infected tick bites a person.
Most diagnosed patients reported possible tick exposure before becoming ill. Researchers have also detected the virus in ticks, supporting the conclusion that ticks act as a likely vector.
The illness is not caused by drinking bourbon or another type of alcohol. It is also unrelated to computer viruses.
Because information remains limited, people should avoid assuming that every tick bite will cause Bourbon virus disease. Most tick bites do not lead to this rare infection, but ticks can carry several other illnesses that may require medical attention.
What Are the Symptoms of Bourbon Virus?
Symptoms reported in people diagnosed with Bourbon virus disease include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Body or muscle aches
- Skin rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Blood tests may also show a low number of white blood cells and platelets. White blood cells help the body fight infections, while platelets help blood clot normally.
These symptoms overlap with several other tick-borne diseases. Symptoms alone cannot confirm which infection a person has.
The CDC advises people who suspect a tick-related illness to contact a healthcare provider. (cdc.gov)
How Is Bourbon Virus Diagnosed?
A healthcare professional will consider the patient’s symptoms, recent outdoor activity, possible tick exposure and laboratory findings.
Specialized laboratory testing may help determine whether someone has been infected. Healthcare providers may need to contact their state or local health department for assistance with testing.
Doctors may also test for more common illnesses that cause similar symptoms, including other tick-borne infections. Bourbon virus may be considered when a patient has compatible symptoms but does not respond as expected to antibiotic treatment.
Antibiotics can treat certain bacterial tick-borne diseases, but they do not work against viruses.
Is There a Treatment?
There is no specific medicine approved to eliminate Bourbon virus from the body.
Treatment is supportive and may include:
- Rest
- Fluids
- Medicine to manage fever or pain
- Monitoring of blood counts
- Intravenous fluids for dehydration
- Hospital care for severe symptoms
Patients should not start or stop medication without speaking to a healthcare professional. Some over-the-counter medicines may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions or low platelet counts.
The CDC’s clinical guidance for healthcare providers confirms that treatment is based on supportive care.
Can Bourbon Virus Be Prevented?
There is no vaccine, so prevention depends on reducing exposure to ticks.
The CDC recommends:
- Avoiding wooded and brushy areas with tall grass
- Walking near the center of trails
- Wearing long sleeves and long pants
- Using an EPA-registered insect repellent
- Treating clothing and equipment with an appropriate tick repellent
- Checking the entire body after outdoor activity
- Showering after returning indoors
- Checking children, pets and outdoor equipment for ticks
The CDC’s prevention guidance says preventing tick bites is the best available protection against Bourbon virus disease.
Anyone working outdoors during hot weather should also follow basic hydration and temperature precautions described in our extreme heat safety guide.
When Should You Contact a Doctor?
Contact a healthcare professional if you develop fever, rash, severe fatigue, vomiting or worsening body aches after a recent tick bite or outdoor exposure.
Seek urgent medical attention for serious symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe weakness
- Signs of dehydration
- Rapidly worsening illness
Keep a record of when the tick exposure occurred and, when possible, save the removed tick in a sealed container for identification. Do not delay medical care while attempting to identify the tick yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is Bourbon virus contagious?
Current public guidance primarily associates Bourbon virus with infected tick bites. Research remains limited because very few human cases have been identified.
Q2. Is Bourbon virus the same as Lyme disease?
No. Bourbon virus is a viral infection, while Lyme disease is caused by bacteria. Their symptoms may overlap, but their causes and treatments are different.
Q3. Can antibiotics treat Bourbon virus?
No. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and do not eliminate viruses.
Q4. Is Bourbon virus always fatal?
No. Available case numbers are too small to calculate a reliable death rate. Some reported infections have been severe, but limited data should not be used to make broad predictions about individual outcomes.
Q5. Where can readers find more health information?
Additional disease, safety and public-health explainers are available in the Health section.
Final Summary
Bourbon virus disease is a rare tick-associated illness that may cause fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting. No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is currently available, making tick-bite prevention especially important.
Because its symptoms resemble other infections, anyone who becomes sick after possible tick exposure should seek professional medical advice and explain when and where the exposure occurred.
Medical disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified healthcare provider about symptoms or possible tick exposure.
