New Virus Kansas - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the discovery of a new virus in the latest edition of its Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.
The previously unknown virus, which led to the death of a 68-year-old Kansas resident, John Seested, in the spring of 2014, has been named the 'Bourbon Virus,' after Bourbon County, where the victim lived.
After the death of the victim, who is said to have suffered multiple tick bites before falling ill, officials refused to disclose further information about the incident to protect the privacy of his family.
Now the CDC has revealed more about how the tick bites led to the death of Mr. Seested. According to the CDC, Seested fell ill two days after receiving tick bites while working outside his Kansas property. He was taken to the hospital on the third day and was prescribed doxycycline. But his condition did not improve. Seested was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance on the fourth day after his wife found him drifting in and out of consciousness.
Blood tests on Seested cleared him of any known tick-borne viruses. But his condition continued to deteriorate and despite the efforts of medics, he died eleven days after becoming ill.
The new Bourbon virus was only discovered after a sample of the victim's blood was passed on to the CDC from Kansas medics to test for the Heartland virus.
The Bourbon Virus belongs to a genus of viruses known as Thogotovirus. While these viruses have been found in Asia, Africa and Europe, this is the first time the virus has been diagnosed in the country. Nonetheless, medical experts say it is unlikely that Seested is the first person to have been infected with the Bourbon Virus.
The official discovery of the Bourbon Virus puts medics in a better position to research into vaccines and other treatment solutions. At the moment, there is no treatment for the Bourbon Virus. Doctors can only treat symptoms of the virus. Some of the symptoms of this virus include fever, tiredness, rash, headache, vomiting, nausea, aches and low white blood cell count.
To avoid becoming infected with the Bourbon Virus, the CDC has warned the public to avoid bushy and wooded areas, or use insect repellents and wear long sleeves and pants when going venturing into these places. The CDC also cautions people to check themselves thoroughly for ticks after spending time outdoors.
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