Powassan virus is transmitted by ticks.
Well being officers are alerting individuals in regards to the lethal Powassan virus illness, a non-treatable sickness unfold by ticks, after the Maine Centre for Illness Management and Prevention stated {that a} Sagadahoc County resident has died from the uncommon virus.
In keeping with The Unbiased, as much as 25 individuals within the US are contaminated yearly, with the newest loss of life marking the third deadly case in Maine since 2015, Fox Information reported.
The Powassan virus is often transmitted to people by means of bites by contaminated deer ticks, groundhog ticks, or squirrel ticks, mostly within the Nice Lakes area of North America between late spring and mid-autumn.
Though Powassan circumstances are uncommon, however extra circumstances have been documented in recent times. Infections with the Powassan virus in people have been reported within the US, Canada, and Russia.
Listed below are particulars associated to the signs of the Powassan virus and how one can defend your self:
Signs
In keeping with the Centres for Illness Management and Prevention, the vast majority of Powassan virus-infected individuals lack any signs. For individuals with signs, the time from a tick chew to feeling sick ranges from 1 week to 1 month.
Many individuals contaminated with the Powassan virus should not have signs. For individuals with signs, the time from a tick chew to feeling sick ranges from 1 week to 1 month.
Preliminary signs can embrace fever, headache, vomiting, and weak point.
Powassan virus may cause extreme illness, together with an infection of the mind (encephalitis) or the membranes across the mind and spinal wire (meningitis).
Signs of extreme illness embrace confusion, lack of coordination, problem talking, and seizures.
Roughly 1 out of 10 individuals with extreme ailments die.
Roughly half of the individuals who survive extreme illness have long-term well being issues resembling recurring complications, lack of muscle mass and energy, and reminiscence issues.
Therapy
There aren’t any drugs to stop or deal with Powassan virus an infection. Antibiotics don’t deal with viruses.
Relaxation, fluids, and over-the-counter ache drugs might relieve some signs.
Folks with extreme illness usually have to be hospitalized to obtain help for respiratory, staying hydrated, or decreasing swelling within the mind.
