Black-legged tick (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

14 August 2024

If you aren’t already avoiding black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) because of Lyme disease, yesterday’s announcement is another reason to be very careful.

The Allegheny County Health Department has announced that the first human case of Powassan virus disease has been detected in the area. It’s the first time the tick-borne virus has been seen in the county, and the first case in the state this year.

Post Gazette: First human case of rare but deadly tick virus detected in Allegheny County

Powassan is a rare, but growing, disease that can only be caught from a black-legged tick bite. Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness but it can also cause severe illness including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). This can result in long term neurological effects.

There is no treatment for Powassan and no vaccine. All that can be done is to wait for it to run its course and mitigate the symptoms.

embedded video from WTAE-TV Pittsburgh on YouTube

It is no surprise that this happened at this time of year. Summer is when black-legged ticks are tiny nymphs.

Here’s how big they are compared to an adult. No wonder we don’t notice them sucking our blood!

Black-legged ticks, adult and nymph, on hand (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

There are two ways to prevent Lyme disease.

#1. Check your body for ticks after you’ve been outdoors. There may be ticks in your own backyard so check every time.

How to do a tick check (image from PA Dept of Health & CDC.gov)

#2 Keep ticks off your clothes and skin. Wear long pants and long sleeves and spray your clothes with permethrin. Some suggest using DEET on your skin (if you wear shorts) but I can attest that long pants sprayed with permethrin is much better.

It’s Spray Your Clothes Day (photo by Kate St. John)

Stay safe outdoors. Avoid ticks

For more information, see the Post-Gazette: First human case of rare but deadly tick virus detected in Allegheny County.

OTHER USERS BOUGHT THIS!!!


[ source_link]

Previous articleRooster crowing & Feeding time#rooster #roostercrowing #roostersound #crowing #sorts
Next articleDutch Swimmer Dedicates Olympic Gold To Late Pet Dog
JessicaGG
Journalist specialized in online marketing as Social Media Manager. I help professionals and companies to become more Internet and online reputation, which allows to give life to the Social Media Strategies defined for the Company, and thus immortalize brands, products and services. I have participated as an exhibitor in various forums nationally and internationally, I am the author of several articles in digital magazines and Blogs.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here