Maine CDC confirms dying from Powassan virus: What it is best to know

A A Maine resident has died from Powassan virus, a uncommon tick-borne illness, the Maine Facilities for Illness Management confirmed Wednesday.

In response to the Maine CDC, the one that was doubtless contaminated within the state developed neurological signs and died within the hospital.

That is the state’s first case of Powassan virus this 12 months. In 2022, two individuals died from the illness, making it the third recorded Powassan dying in Maine since 2015.

Proceed studying: Ticks carry extra ailments than simply Lyme. This is what that you must know:

Like Lyme illness, which impacts over 400,000 Individuals annually, based on the CDC, the illness is brought on by a tick-borne virus. Many individuals who contract Powassan virus haven’t any signs.

Though solely a handful of circumstances are reported within the US annually, the uncommon virus might be lethal. In response to the Maine CDC, about 15% of circumstances are deadly. About half of the individuals who survive a extreme an infection have long-term well being issues.

The incubation interval of the illness can last as long as a month earlier than signs akin to fever, headache, vomiting, seizures, or reminiscence loss seem. Some individuals can develop critical neurological issues, akin to irritation of the mind or spinal wire, and the virus could cause encephalitis, an an infection of the mind, or meningitis, which impacts the membranes across the mind and spinal wire.

Powassan virus might be transmitted by the chew of an contaminated deer tick or woodchuck tick. The virus was first recognized in 1958 and first detected in deer ticks, which chew people and likewise transmit Lyme illness, within the mid-1990s. Most circumstances occurred within the Northeast and Nice Lakes areas throughout the tick season from late spring to mid-fall.

There aren’t any efficient antibiotics or antivirals to deal with the illness, and the CDC recommends relaxation, fluids, and over-the-counter ache relievers for circumstances that do not require hospitalization.

To remain protected throughout tick season, the CDC recommends sporting insect repellent when in areas the place ticks roam, inspecting clothes and pores and skin afterwards, bathing or showering after returning house, and pets which can be outdoor have stopped, examine recurrently.

write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com.