Beware Of Ticks: Powassan Virus Could Be More Dangerous Than The Lyme Disease; Outbreaks Reported In Connecticut

Health experts are struggling to combat the tick-borne illness caused by the Powassan virus which has recently invaded Connecticut. The sickness results from infection and is more dreadful that the other most common form of tick-borne illness, the Lyme disease.

The health officials are regarding the infection caused by the Powassan virus as potentially fatal with a tendency to spread faster than the other ticks-borne illness. Unlike Lyme disease, this form of illness is untreatable and the affected individual starts showing symptoms — nausea, headache, memory loss, muscle fatigue and vomiting — within a few minutes of getting bit by the ticks that host the Powassan virus.

Dr Theodore Andreadis from The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment revealed how the Powassan virus can even permanently get into the central nervous system of the affected individual, leading to inflammation in the spinal cord and the brain, causing encephalitis meningitis.

So far, the illness outbreak has been reported from the North Branford's Lake Gaillard and Lake Success in Bridgeport. However, the virus carrying ticks have been seen across the northeastern states. Most cases of the infections caused due to Powassan virus has been reported from the areas surrounding the Great Lakes region.

“It’s not something pleasant. We’re not putting any major alarm out there, but we’re saying we need to be aware of this because we do appear to be seeing a re-emergence of it,” revealed Andreadis, reported FoxNews.com.

Health experts have advised people to wear long pants and full sleeve shirts when going outdoors to prevent any contact with ticks. In addition, doctors have recommended people to check for ticks once they return home to avoid any chances of contracting ticks-borne illness.

The Powassan virus was discovered in 1950. It has derived its name from the Canadian city new which it was first identified.

To report a problem or to leave a feedback on the article, send an e-mail to emailtoguneet@gmail.com.