An Illinois resident has become seriously ill with a tick-borne virus that has never been detected in Illinois before.
While the Illinois Department of Public Health hasn’t determined whether the resident was exposed to the illness in this state, they are stepping up surveillance actions for the virus known as Powassan, testing ticks for the virus statewide.
“With warm weather still prevalent, tick-borne diseases remain a potential threat here in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in a statement. “It’s important for everyone to guard against tick bites and the serious illnesses they can cause. We urge everyone to ‘Fight the Bite’ by reducing opportunities for exposures and repelling tick bites by wearing preventive clothing. If you have been in a wooded or grassy area where ticks are common and you begin to show symptoms like fever, fatigue, or headache, see a health care provider immediately.”
According to IDPH officials, Powassan can be spread to humans via bites from infected ticks, with the black-legged deer tick most frequently associated with the illness.
Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, and it can cause more serious complications including inflammation of the brain, or spinal cord meningitis. Symptoms of severe disease include confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures.
There is no specific treatment for the illness, according to IDPH officials.
The CDC recommends that individuals who spend time outdoors to check their clothing and bodies for ticks when they come inside. Tumble-drying clothes on high heat for 10 minutes can kill ticks that are on clothing.
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More information can be found on the CDC’s website.