Rare virus that causes neurological symptoms diagnosed in the state of northeastern

As the tick season continues to collect steam in the United States, a resident of Maine has been diagnosed with a potentially serious disease transmitted by ticks.

The adult, who lives in Hancock County, was hospitalized with the Powassan virus after developing “neurological symptoms,” according to the Maine disease control and prevention Center (Maine CDC).

The Powassan virus is transmitted to humans through the sting of an infected wood tick, or from an infected deer, although that is less likely.

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Dr. Jorge P. Parada, MD, Medical Advisor of the National Association of Pest Management (NPMA) in Chicago, said the Powassan virus is rare compared to diseases such as Lyme’s disease, but “it is still a serious concern.”

“One of the most dangerous aspects is its rapid transmission,” stopped News Digital.

“Powassan can be transmitted in just 15 minutes after infected tick bites, while Lyme’s disease generally requires fixing time from 36 to 48 hours for transmission.”

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst at News, confirmed that this virus is transmitted much faster than Lyme’s disease, with an incubation period of one to four weeks.

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Although the cases are rare, with only seven to eight diagnoses every year in the United States, they have been in the increase in recent years, mainly in the regions of the northeast and the large lakes, according to the US control and prevention centers (CDC) of the US.

As with other diseases transmitted by ticks, the virus is more frequent from the late spring to the mid -fall.

“Unlike most tick -transmitted diseases, 10% to 15% of severe cases are fatal.”

The initial symptoms of the Powassan virus include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, according to CDC, although some infected people may not get sick.

In some cases, the virus can cause a serious illness, which leads to the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

In these rare cases, infected may experience difficulty speaking, confusion, loss of coordination and seizures, the health agency warned.

While anyone can develop a serious illness, people with the highest risk include older adults, children and immunocompared people.

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There are no vaccines available for the Powassan virus.

“Unlike most tick -transmitted diseases, 10% to 15% of severe cases are fatal, and half of the survivors experience permanent neurological damage,” Parada said.

Many of those who experience serious diseases suffer from long -term symptoms, including headaches, memory problems and a decrease in muscle strength.

According to Maine CDCs, there is no specific medication for the Powassan virus, with the treatment centered on the management of symptoms and complications.

“Since there is no treatment or vaccine for the Powassan virus, prevention is critical,” said Parada.

The same tick prevention strategies for Lyme’s disease also apply to this virus, he said.

These include the use of insect repellents recorded in the EPA that contain at least 20% DEET, wear light -colored clothes with long sleeves and pants in socks in areas with ticks and perform an exhaustive verification of ticks on you, your family and pets after being outdoors, according to stop.

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“We also recommend that your patio be less attractive to ticks keeping the short grass and the use of gravel or wood chips to create a ‘tic pit’ between the edge of its property to discourage migration,” he advised.

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The doctor added: “The combination of the rapid transmission of Powassan, the serious consequences for health and the lack of treatment options make this an emerging public health concern that requires immediate attention to prevention efforts.”