The virus, named after Bourbon County, Kansas where the patient lived, is believed to be spread by ticks. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to further investigate the virus.

"Bourbon virus has likely been around for some time, but only recently did we have the diagnostic techniques to isolate and identify such viruses," said Dana Hawkinson, MD, an infectious disease specialist at The Unviersity of Kansas Hospital.

In the sound clips above, Dr. Hawkinson answers the following questions:

What is Bourbon virus?

How is it different from other tick-borne viruses?

What are the symptoms?

What is the treatment?

How can it be prevented?