New Tick-Borne Virus Confirmed In Oklahoma

The Oklahoma State Department of Health says the Centers for Disease Control has confirmed a Payne County resident has tested positive for a new tick-borne disease.

The virus has been identified as the Bourbon virus. OSDH says it is the first case in Oklahoma and only the second case in the U.S. The other case was in Kansas back in February and that patient was a man under the age of 50.

Health officials say because the disease is so new, more research is needed to fully understand the severity and geographic range of Bourbon virus.

Symptoms may include fever, severe muscle and joint pain, fatigue, disorientation, diarrhea, and a rash.

CDC Tick Borne Diseases of the U.S.

The Oklahoma patient first reported symptoms in May 2014 and has since made a full recovery.

Oklahoma ranks among those states with the highest incidence of other tick borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,