Published: 2014-12-28 years Updated: 2021-09-25
Author: Thomas C. Weiss | Contact: Disabled-World.com
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
Move in: Main announcement | Publications
Summary: Although the host of the new virus, known as the ‘Bourbon virus’, has not been identified up to this point, it is thought to be transmitted through the bite of fleas or other insects. At this time, there is no vaccine, treatment, or specific drug for Bourbon virus disease. Since Bourbon virus disease is thought to be transmitted through tick or insect bites, the risk to people during the winter months is minimal. Bourbon virus is comparable to another tick-borne disease called Heartland virus. The Heartland virus was first detected in 2012, and as of March 2014, eight cases have been identified in people living in Missouri and Tennessee.
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Main announcement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) are working closely to investigate a new virus that has been linked to the death of a Kansas resident during the summer. Summer 2014. While the host of the new virus is known as the ‘Bourbon virus’, until now unknown, it is thought to be transmitted through the bite of a tick or other insect. Symptoms in Kansas residents resemble those of other tick-borne illnesses, including fatigue and fever.
A person from Kansas was the first known person to have the disease, named for Bourbon County where he or she lived. Because of the person’s symptoms and changes in the blood count, it is believed that the person has contracted a tick-borne illness, such as ehrlichiosis, or Heartland virus disease. Specimens obtained from humans; however, tested negative for known tick-borne diseases and upon additional investigation it was determined to be a new and previously unseen virus. What is unknown is whether the Bourbon virus was the cause of a person’s death, or whether it contributed to that person’s death.
CDC, KDHE and a clinical team are working to learn more about Bourbon virus. The person’s case history has been reviewed, and there are plans to test other Kansas residents with similar symptoms who tested negative for the Heartland virus last year for the type. this new virus. CDC has developed blood tests that can be used to identify and confirm recent Bourbon virus infections. Investigations are underway to explore how people are infected with the virus, including plans to collect and test ticks and other insects for the Bourbon virus.
Bourbon Virus Treatment and Prevention
At this time, there is no vaccine, treatment, or specific drug for Bourbon virus disease. Since Bourbon virus disease is thought to be transmitted through tick or insect bites, the risk to people during the winter months is minimal. To reduce the potential risk of tick- or insect-borne illnesses, CDC and KDHE recommend that people:
- Wear long-sleeved clothes and long pants
- Using products containing permethrin on clothing
- Use insect repellent containing DEET when outside
- Conduct a full body marking test after spending time outdoors
- Avoid dense areas and dense vegetation with leaves and tall grass
- Check pets and equipment because ticks can enter the home and attach to people afterwards
- Shower or shower as soon as possible after entering the house to wash it off and easily find ticks crawling on you
According to the CDC, the United States of America is home to a number of flea-borne diseases. These diseases include:
- Q fever
- Liver fever
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Relapsing fever caused by ticks
- Meningococcal fever in the mountains
- Ticket-related rash in the South
The most common tick-borne illness in the United States is Lyme disease. More than 22,500 confirmed cases and 7,500 probable cases of Lyme disease were reported to the CDC in 2010 alone.
Experts claim that the Bourbon virus is comparable to another tick-borne disease known as the Heartland virus. The Heartland virus was first detected in 2012, and as of March 2014, eight cases have been identified in people living in Missouri and Tennessee. While most of those hospitalized due to their condition eventually recovered, one of them died. Similar to the Bourbon virus, doctors say the only way to get the Heartland virus is through the bite of a tick, sandfly or mosquito.
Author credentials:
Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses for a Master’s, Bachelor’s and two Associate’s degrees, as well as studying Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant, Thomas has supported people of many racial, religious, gender, class and age groups by providing care to people with all forms of disabilities. disability from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson’s; paralysis and quadriplegia for spina bifida.
Disability World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their families and/or carers. . Check out our homepage for helpful news, reviews, sports, stories and guides. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more about Disability World on our about us page.
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• Citation of this Page (APA): Thomas C. Weiss. (2014, December 28). Bourbon virus: Information, Treatment, Prevention. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 26, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/bourbon-virus.php
• Permalinks: Bourbon Virus: Information, Treatment, Prevention
