New virus linked to Bourbon County resident

Health officials are investigating a new virus that has been linked to the death of a Bourbon County resident this summer.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the new virus.

Although the host of the new virus, called Bourbon virus, is unknown at this time, it is thought to be transmitted through the bites of ticks or other insects. Symptoms in the Bourbon County resident resembled other tick-borne diseases, including fever and fatigue, a KDHE news release said.

KDHE Public Information Officer Aimee Rosenow said she could not provide the name of the Bourbon County patient or details due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Some news websites have identified the patient as a male resident of Bourbon County.

Rosenow did say the clinical symptoms the Bourbon County patient presented were similar to symptoms of the Heartland virus, which include fever, fatigue and diarrhea.

This is the first known case of Bourbon virus, which has been named after Bourbon County where the patient had lived. Because of the patient's symptoms and changes in blood counts, it was believed the resident had a tick-borne illness such as ehrlichiosis or Heartland virus disease. However, specimens taken from the resident tested negative for known tick-borne diseases and after further investigation it was determined to be a new, never-before-seen virus. It is not known if Bourbon virus was the cause of death or how much it contributed to the resident's death, the release said.

"It is a new virus," Rosenow said. "Testing and identification was completed by the CDC to determine the Bourbon virus."

CDC, KDHE and the clinical team are working to learn more about this new virus. The patient's case history has been reviewed and there are plans to test other residents, with similar symptoms, who have tested negative for Heartland virus in the last year for this novel virus, the release said.

Rosenow said the residents to be tested are from the Bourbon County area, although she wasn't sure how many were to be tested.

The Heartland virus is also a relatively new tick-borne virus that is carried by the Lone Star tick. According to the CDC, there is also currently no vaccine or medication to treat or cure the Heartland virus.

Johnny Lee Mitzner of Grove, Okla., a Fort Scott native, was hospitalized in Oklahoma and died May 21 at the age of 76 from the Heartland virus.

"As of March 2014, there are eight cases (of Heartland virus) identified in Missouri and Tennessee residents," Rosenow said.

CDC has developed blood tests that can be used to identify and confirm recent Bourbon virus infections. Finally, investigations are ongoing to explore how people are getting infected with the virus, including plans to collect and test ticks and other insects for the new virus, the release said.

There is no known specific treatment, vaccine or drug for Bourbon virus disease. Since Bourbon virus disease is thought to be transmitted through tick or insect bites, risk to the public during the winter months is minimal, the release said.

"We're learning more about this and we'll be sharing what we learn in the future so the public, medical professionals and public health officials will know how best to protect from these types of diseases," Rosenow said.

KDHE and the CDC recommend the following tips for people to reduce the potential risk of tick- or insect-borne illnesses:

* Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.

* Use insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors.

* Use products that contain permethrin on clothing.

* Wear clothing with long sleeves and pants.

* Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors to wash off and more easily find ticks that could be crawling on the body.

* Conduct a full-body tick check after spending time outdoors.

* Examine gear and pets, as ticks can "ride" into the home and attach to a person later.

The Tribune attempted unsuccessfully on Tuesday to reach officials with the Southeast Kansas Multi-county Health Department for comment on this story.