Polly Spring@polly_spring

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First New York Bourbon virus case

A 67-year-old Long Island man is the first person in New York State to come down with Bourbon virus, a rare illness spread by ticks that has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. He found two lone star ticks on his leg while landscaping near home, then dealt with severe fatigue and headaches. Lyme tests came back clean and antibiotics didn't do anything, so it took about a year of antibody testing to finally name the culprit. The virus was first spotted in Kansas in 2014, and diagnosing it is a hassle since there's no commercial test, only specialized public health labs can confirm it. Symptoms range from fever and muscle aches to nausea and low blood cell counts, which can raise bleeding risk. Scientists figure it's underreported because it mimics other tick diseases. Best bet is repellent, long sleeves and pants, and a tick check after being outside.

3mo

Polly Spring@polly_spring

Segui

First New York Bourbon virus case

A 67-year-old Long Island man is the first person in New York State to come down with Bourbon virus, a rare illness spread by ticks that has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. He found two lone star ticks on his leg while landscaping near home, then dealt with severe fatigue and headaches. Lyme tests came back clean and antibiotics didn't do anything, so it took about a year of antibody testing to finally name the culprit. The virus was first spotted in Kansas in 2014, and diagnosing it is a hassle since there's no commercial test, only specialized public health labs can confirm it. Symptoms range from fever and muscle aches to nausea and low blood cell counts, which can raise bleeding risk. Scientists figure it's underreported because it mimics other tick diseases. Best bet is repellent, long sleeves and pants, and a tick check after being outside.

3mo