What is Powassan virus? Maine resident dies of rare tick-borne illness

A Maine resident died final week from a uncommon however doubtlessly harmful tick-borne sickness, in response to well being officers.

The Maine Heart for Illness Management and Prevention confirmed on Wednesday a deadly case of Powassan virus, which is transmitted by the chunk of an contaminated tick or woodchuck tick. 

The individual, a south-central Maine resident, developed neurologic signs and died within the hospital, in response to the Maine CDC. The individual doubtless grew to become contaminated in Maine, well being officers stated. 

“Ticks are lively and in search of a bunch to chunk proper now,” stated Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine CDC, in a press launch. “I urge Maine folks and guests to take steps that forestall tick bites.”

Instances of Powassan virus are uncommon in the US, with about 25 reported every year since 2015, in response to a Maine CDC press launch. 

Powassan virus in New York:Resident dies of uncommon tick-transmitted Powassan virus in New York – a primary for the state

Shield your self from contaminated ticks carrying life-threatening Powassan virus

Tick-borne viruses are often contracted throughout outside actions corresponding to tenting, gardening, looking or strolling within the woods, in response to Dr. Jill Weatherhead, an knowledgeable in infectious ailments at Baylor School of Drugs in Houston. The ticks often feed on small rodents, with people serving as unintended hosts. 

Powassan virus infections mostly happen within the northeast and higher Midwest, the place the ticks reside, in response to Weatherhead.

“Every kind of tick we’ve got in the US has a geographic want for an space the place it lives,” Weatherhead stated. 

Ticks may trigger different ailments, together with Lyme illness, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain noticed fever.

The signs of Powassan virus an infection often begin every week to a month after the tick chunk. 

Individuals who get sick might have the next signs: 

• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Weak point
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Reminiscence loss
• Some might expertise critical neurologic issues, corresponding to mind or spinal wire irritation.

Mind irritation might be significantly harmful and even deadly. 

“That is what actually causes the extreme illness,” Weatherhead stated.

The perfect safety in opposition to all tick-borne ailments is to stop tick bites. Here’s what you are able to do, in response to Weatherhead:

• Keep away from wooded and bushy areas with tall grass.
• Use an EPA-approved repellent on pores and skin.
• Use permethrin on clothes for added safety.
• Carry out tick checks every single day
• Bathe or bathe after coming inside to clean crawling ticks off your physique. Additionally, look at clothes, gear and pets.
• Ask a veterinarian about tick chunk prevention for cats and canine.