THE ESSENTIAL
- Since 2015, approximately 25 cases of Powassan virus infection have been reported in the United States. The state of Maine has identified 14 infections since 2010.
- The Powassan virus can be found in several animals, such as groundhogs, hares, coyotes, foxes, raccoons or skunks.
They live in meadows, gardens, wooded and humid areas. Ticks are parasitic mites that feed on the blood of their hosts. If they are contaminated with bacteria Borrelia and that ticks bite a human being, they can transmit this microorganism, which causes Lyme disease. But these pests are also capable of transmitting other pathogens, such as the Powassan virus.
As proof: a resident of Waldo County in Maine, United States, contracted Powassan encephalomyelitis following being bitten by a tick. According to a statement from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Preventionreleased April 20, the patient developed neurological symptoms and died while in hospital.
What are the symptoms of Powassan encephalomyelitis?
According to the US health authority, symptoms of Powassan virus infection usually occur a week to a month following the tick bite. Patients may suffer from headaches, fever, vomiting, confusion, seizures or memory loss. “Some people may have serious neurological problems, such as inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. Severe infection can lead to death. Many people infected with Powassan virus do not get sick,” can we read in the report. For now, there is no specific treatment to cure Powassan encephalomyelitis.
What precautions should be taken to avoid tick bites?
The best way to prevent Powassan virus infection is to take the right steps to avoid being bitten by ticks. the Ministry of Health recommends covering your arms and legs with long clothes, preferably light-coloured, during activities in nature to prevent bites and spot these parasites more easily. L’Health Insurance also recommends bringing a tick remover during walks and applying a skin repellent on the exposed parts in order to repel these pests.
After an outing in nature, one should carefully inspect his body. If you have been bitten by a tick, it is recommended to monitor “the stung area for a month. If a red, round plaque extends in a circle from the sting area, one must consult a doctor quickly”, says the Ministry of Health.