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An untreatable tick-borne illness may be in North Carolina, but it hasn’t been diagnosed in people yet.
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Bourbon virus, first found in Bourbon County, Kansas in 2014, causes fever, fatigue and other symptoms. Patients have reported symptoms lasting from two weeks to years. Bourbon virus has recently been in the news because this year’s first known case was identified in New York this spring.
The virus has been found in North Carolina’s tick population, and antibodies showing previous exposure have been found in North Carolinians by researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill, but no one has been formally diagnosed.
According to the CDC, people with Bourbon virus have reported:
Other signs can include lower than normal white blood cell and platelet counts. Mild symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, but there are no specific treatments.
Bourbon virus is spread by lone star ticks. Adult female lone star ticks have a single white dot on their backs.
The tick can also cause alpha-gal syndrome, an allergic reaction to red meat. Alpha-gal diagnoses are going up in North Carolina as the syndrome becomes better recognized and tick populations soar.
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The Charlotte Observer previously reported on tick prevention. Experts recommend:
If you are bitten by a tick, experts recommend saving the tick in the freezer if possible. If you experience an onset of illness consistent with a tick-borne illness, having the tick can help medical professionals identify it.
Inspired by a story from The Wichita Eagle in Kansas.
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This story was originally published August 10, 2026 at 4:19 PM with the headline “Rare & untreatable Bourbon virus has been found in NC ticks. How to stay safe.”
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect the accurate origin of Bourbon virus.
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