As the weather heats up heading into the summer months, new concerns arise about the spread of vector-borne diseases, and one northeastern city has sounded the alarm following a recent discovery.
What is happening?
As USA Today explains, in April, the town of Sharon, Massachusetts, confirmed its first case of Powassan virus, a disease transmitted by a tick bite that is becoming “increasingly common in humans.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the virus rare, but also noted that the number of reported cases has increased in recent years.
The town of Sharon, located about 25 miles south of Boston, has not released information on the condition of the infected person. However, the Sharon Health Department warned residents to take precautions to avoid contracting the virus.
The CDC said most people infected with Powassan virus do not experience symptoms, but those who do may begin to experience them a week to a month after the tick bite. It was also noted that “the disease is not spread by coughing, sneezing or contact, but in rare cases it has been spread from person to person through blood transfusion.”
Why is this important?
As temperatures rise due to climate change, tick habitat has expanded, which could lead to an increase in tick-borne diseases. The CDC has warned that ticks are most active during the warmer months, April through September.
Ticks, particularly the Lone Star tick, common in the southern and eastern United States, have been linked to various health problems, such as the spread of alpha-gal syndrome, a rare and potentially deadly.
Those who contract Powassan virus may experience early symptoms, including fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. However, the virus can cause more serious illnesses like encephalitis, an infection of the brain, or meningitis, an infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
The CDC said those who develop severe illness may experience confusion, loss of coordination, slurred speech and seizures, and about one in 10 people with severe illness die. Nearly half of people with serious illness may suffer long-term health problems, including “recurring headaches, loss of muscle mass, and problems with strength and memory,” according to USA Today.
What are we doing about this?
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Powassan virus, nor any medication to treat people infected with the disease.
The main way to protect yourself from Powassan virus and other vector-borne diseases is to avoid contact with ticks. The CDC said ticks are often found in grassy, brushy or wooded areas, as well as yards or neighborhoods, and they can also live on animals.
Before spending time in areas where ticks may be present, it is important to treat clothing and equipment with insect repellent and try to cover as much skin as possible. When returning from an outing, it is crucial to check your body and clothing for the presence of ticks. If you must wash your clothes, use hot water first and dry them in a dryer on high for 10 minutes to kill ticks.
If you find a tick, remove it quickly and carefully. If you experience any unusual symptoms after a tick bite, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Join our free newsletter to good news And nice tips which facilitate help yourself while helping the planet.
News Source : www.thecooldown.com
Gn Health
