Deadly tick-borne virus detected in Sharon Massachusetts
For the first time, public health officials in Sharon Massachusetts have identified a case of Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne disease. Powassan virus is spread by black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. Along with Powassan, these ticks also spread more common viruses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. 2024 is expected to have more tick activity than previous years due to the warmer winter.
Powassan virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. To transmit Powassan, the tick only needs to bite a person for 15 to 30 minutes. Most people exposed to Powassan, will not experience symptoms, but some can get seriously ill with meningitis (inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord) or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). According to the Department of Health, approximately 10% of people with severe forms of the disease will die and survivors may have long-term health problems.
The best way to protect yourself against Powassan and other tick-borne viruses is to lower your chance of a tick bite. In the northeast, adult deer ticks are active from October through May, as long as temperatures remain above freezing and nymphs are active from May through August. People are at the highest risk of getting bitten by a tick in the spring, summer, and fall. To protect against tick bites, people can:
Invest in All-Natural Tick Control: At Pure Solutions, our mission is to prevent the spreading of tick-borne disease through all-natural practices. Our exclusive product eliminates ticks on contact while providing residual protection.
Use Environmental Protection Agency Registered Insect Repellents: When outdoors apply insect repellent to reduce the chance of a tick bite. When possible, opt for all-natural tick repellent as opposed to synthetic products.
Avoid High-Risk Areas: Stay away from wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. When walking or hiking, stay in the center of the trails.
Perform a Yard Clean-Up: Regularly mow the lawn, remove leaf litter, clear tall grasses, and brush along the edge of the lawns.
Currently, there is no treatment for the tick-borne virus. More information about Powassan can be found here.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, July 1). Preventing Tick Bites. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html
DiGiammerino, T. (2024, April 26). Case of Powassan virus reported in Mass. town. NBC Boston. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/powassan-virus-ticks-massachusetts/3351373/
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Repellents: Protection against Mosquitoes, Ticks and Other Arthropods. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents