CDC Warns of New Tick-Borne Virus Worse than Lyme Disease
As we get the urge to get outdoors for activities comes the reminder, especially if you spend time in brushy areas, to check yourselves and others with you for ticks.
According to a KARE11 report, ticks are expected to be a little more abundant this year and there is a special concern about the Powassan virus. The virus can be transmitted within 10-15 minutes of a tick bite as opposed about 24 hours for a tick to transmit Lyme disease.
Symptoms of the Powassan virus include fever, vomiting, seizures and memory loss. About half of survivors have permanent neurological symptoms and 10 percent of all cases are fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. Symptoms usually don't show up for a week to a month from the bite and no vaccines or medications are available to treat it. Only 75 cases have been reported, 20 in Minnesota, over the past 10 years. The peak season is mid-May to mid-July, when they are feeding.
Everyone is at risk. Have a great time outdoors, but be sure to take a look at your family, pets and yourselves. It takes just a few minutes.