A man in Oklahoma has sadly passed away after contracting the Heartland virus, which was first discovered back in 2009. Alarmingly, the virus is found in the lone star tick and is reportedly spread through a bite.

A man in Oklahoma has sadly passed away after contracting the Heartland virus, which was first discovered in Missouri back in 2009.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the male was over 65 years old and died of complications resulting from the illness. Alarmingly, the virus is found in the lone star tick and is reportedly spread through a bite.

Only one other person has died from this disease. In that case however, the unidentified individual had other health conditions so it’s not clear what the exact cause of death was.

Additional cases of the Heartland virus have been documented in patients living in Missouri and Tennessee, but they recovered. Becky Coffman, an epidemiologist in acute disease with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, is urging people to check themselves daily for ticks.

Applying bug spray and wearing long sleeve shirts and pants outside is also advisable. Symptoms of the Heartland virus include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, exhaustion, aching muscles and a tendency to bruise easily.

No vaccines are currently available for tick borne illnesses, meaning the best we can do is try to avoid contracting them.