Deadly Powassan tick virus confirmed in Massachusetts resident, health officials say - WCVB Boston

BEN: THANK YOU. A DEADLY TICK DISEASE TRIGGERING A NEW HEALTH ALERT IN THE SUBURBS. EMILY IS HERE WITH THE DETAILS. ERIKA: THE DISEASE IS CALLED POWASSAN. ONE BITE FROM AN INFECTED TICK CAN CAUSE ENCEPHALITIS, A POTENTIALLY FATAL SWELLING OF THE BRAIN. TODAY’S WARNING FROM THE MAYNARD BOARD OF HEALTH COMES AFTER A RECENT CASE INVOLVING A RESIDENT. EVEN THOUGH THE VIRUS IS RARE, THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS IS RISING. MASSACHUSETTS HAS HAD 22 CASES SINCE 2009, THE THIRD HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY. DR. JENNIFER LYONS AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL HAS SEEN WHAT POWASSAN CAN DO AND RIGHT NOW, SHE SAYS IT’S HARD TO STOP.>>THERE ARE VERY FEW MEDICATIONS WE HAVE TO TREAT VIRUSES IN GENERAL. FOR THIS FIRE SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE NO SPECIFIC ANTIDOTE. ERIKA: THE BOARD OF HEALTH DID NOT RELEASE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE PATIENT’S CONDITION. BUT MOST CASES START WITH A FEVER, HEADACHE, VOMITING AND WEAKNESS. AND UNLIKE OTHER DISEASES, AN INFECTED TICK CAN TRANSMIT POWASSAN TO A PERSON IN JUST 15 MINUTES. THAT’S SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTER THAN THE 36-TO-48 HOURS IT CAN TAKE FOR LYM THE BEST PROTECTION RIGHT NOW IS PREVENTION. PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS RECOMMEND DAILY TICK CHECKS, AND USING A BUG REPELLANT THANT THAT CONTAINS 20% OR MORE DEET -- THAT CONTAINS 20% OR MORE DEET WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE.

Deadly Powassan tick virus confirmed in Massachusetts resident, health officials say

A Maynard resident was recently diagnosed with the Powassan virus, a deadly tick-borne illness, according to Town Administrator Greg Johnson and the Maynard Public Health Division.The virus can cause encephalitis, a potentially fatal swelling of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord that can be life-threatening. The Maynard Board of Health did not release any information about the patient's condition. Most cases start with a fever, headache, vomiting and weakness.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Powassan virus is rare but often severe. The virus can only be spread to people by bites from infected ticks.Unlike other tick-borne diseases, the Powassan virus can be transmitted to a person in just 15 minutes. It can take 36 to 48 hours for a tick to transmit Lyme disease to a person."There are very few medications that we have to treat viruses in general, and for Powassan virus specifically, we have no specific antidote," said Dr. Jennifer Lyons, of Brigham and Women's Hospital.Although tick bites can happen at any time of the year, they are especially prevalent from April to September.Public health officials say the best protection against the Powassan virus is prevention. Daily tick checks are recommended, as well as using bug repellent that contains at least 20% DEET when going outside.The number of reported cases of Powassan virus has increased in recent years. Massachusetts has had 22 cases since 2009, the third-highest total in the country.

MAYNARD, Mass. —

A Maynard resident was recently diagnosed with the Powassan virus, a deadly tick-borne illness, according to Town Administrator Greg Johnson and the Maynard Public Health Division.

The virus can cause encephalitis, a potentially fatal swelling of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord that can be life-threatening.

The Maynard Board of Health did not release any information about the patient's condition. Most cases start with a fever, headache, vomiting and weakness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Powassan virus is rare but often severe. The virus can only be spread to people by bites from infected ticks.

Unlike other tick-borne diseases, the Powassan virus can be transmitted to a person in just 15 minutes. It can take 36 to 48 hours for a tick to transmit Lyme disease to a person.

"There are very few medications that we have to treat viruses in general, and for Powassan virus specifically, we have no specific antidote," said Dr. Jennifer Lyons, of Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Although tick bites can happen at any time of the year, they are especially prevalent from April to September.

Public health officials say the best protection against the Powassan virus is prevention. Daily tick checks are recommended, as well as using bug repellent that contains at least 20% DEET when going outside.

The number of reported cases of Powassan virus has increased in recent years. Massachusetts has had 22 cases since 2009, the third-highest total in the country.

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