4 cases of Powassan virus infection, a serious tick-borne illness, are detected in Connecticut this yr, health officials have confirmed.

Powassan virus causes a rare, but serious infection that spreads through bites of black-legged or deer ticks. The virus gets transmitted in as little as quarter-hour following a tick bite. There are not any vaccines or drugs to treat the condition.

“The identification of 4 Connecticut residents with Powassan virus-associated illness emphasizes the importance of taking actions to guard yourself from tick bites from now through the late fall. Using insect repellent, avoiding areas where ticks are likely, and checking rigorously for ticks after being outside can reduce the prospect of you or your kids being infected with this virus,” Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the Department of Public Health Connecticut, said in a news release.

Two women and two men were hospitalized with a central nervous system disease in July. The lab results confirmed the presence of Powassan virus antibodies in all of them. They’ve been discharged and are recovering, officials said.

Symptoms of infection from the Powassan virus normally develop inside one week to at least one month after an infected tick bite. The infection begins with fever, headache, vomiting and weakness.

Because the infection gets severe, it may result in encephalitis (infection of the brain) or meningitis (infection of membranes across the brain and spinal cord). Signs reminiscent of confusion, lack of coordination, difficulty speaking and seizures indicate a severe infection. Around 10% of severe cases are fatal and half of those that survive suffer from long-term health problems reminiscent of frequent headaches, lack of muscle mass and strength and memory loss.

Individuals with severe infections needs to be hospitalized as they may need support for respiration and reducing brain swelling.

Although the virus is transmitted mainly through tick bites, in rare cases, it may transmit from individual to individual through blood transfusion. Health officials recommend people to not donate blood and bone marrow for 120 days following an infection.

The perfect strategy to prevent the disease is by limiting exposure to ticks. Easy precautions like keeping pets tick-free and using insect repellants and protective cloths while stepping outdoors will help reduce the probabilities of tick bites.

Published by Medicaldaily.com