ATLANTA, June 23 (Our Illinois Times) — A tick bite in the Northeast or Great Lakes may carry risk sooner than many people realize: federal health agencies and peer-reviewed studies say Powassan virus can be transmitted in minutes and can lead to brain inflammation.
The Defense Centers for Public Health–Aberdeen says studies show infected ticks can transmit the virus in as little as 15 minutes of feeding. A peer-reviewed case report in the medical literature said human transmission can occur within hours of attachment.
CDC says Powassan is rare, but reported cases have increased in recent years. The agency says most U.S. cases are found in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, especially during the tick season from late spring through mid-fall.
CDC says early symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. In severe cases, the virus can cause encephalitis or meningitis and may lead to confusion, loss of coordination, speech problems, seizures, paralysis and other neurologic deficits.
There are no vaccines to prevent Powassan virus disease and no medicines to treat it, according to CDC. The agency says about 10% of patients with Powassan neuroinvasive disease die, and about half of survivors have long-lasting neurologic problems.
CDC says older adults, children and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of neuroinvasive disease. The agency also says Powassan virus can rarely be spread through blood transfusion.
