Deadly Powassan tick virus confirmed in Sharon

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TICKS FOR THE FIRST TIME. A CONFIRMED CASE OF POWASSAN VIRUS IN SHARON. EXPERTS SAY THE TICK BORNE DISEASE IS MUCH RARER THAN LYME, BUT IT CAN BE DANGEROUS AND EVEN DEADLY. THE PEOPLE THAT I'VE CARED FOR, AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, HAVE COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE. THERE'S NO REAL TREATMENT AVAILABLE, SO IT KIND OF RUNS ITS COURSE. PEOPLE CAN GET POWASSAN THROUGH A TICK BITE. DOCTORS SAY YOU CAN PICK UP TICKS, MOWING YOUR LAWN OR EVEN PLAYING GOLF. POWASSAN CAN LEAD TO SEIZURES OR LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS LIKE ENCEPHALITIS, A SWELLING OF THE BRAIN. IT CAN ALSO LEAD TO MENINGITIS AND INFLAMMATION OF THE MEMBRANES AROUND THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD. IT'S NOT SUBTLE. IT'S NOT USUALLY A SUBTLE THING. UM, IT'S USUALLY PRETTY RECOGNIZABLE. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE FEVER, CONFUSION, INABILITY TO MOVE LIMBS, HEADACHE, OR EVEN NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL. TICKS ARE JUST NASTY THINGS. AFTER GOING OUTSIDE, DOCTORS RECOMMEND CHECKING FOR TICKS ON YOUR BODY, ON YOUR KIDS, AND ON YOUR PETS. WE HAVE OUR PROVIDERS AND SHE GOES IN THERE SO AND A LOT OF TIMES I HAVE TO GO IN AFTER HER. I THINK ABOUT IT, THEN I JUST CHECK AFTERWARDS AND WEAR LIKE WHITE CLOTHING OR LONG SOCKS TUCKED IN. SOMETIMES RUBBER BOOTS THEY SAY ARE BETTER DOCTORS SAY YOU SHOULDN'T WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT GETTING POWASSAN AND ADDING OTHER TICK BORNE ILLNESSES ARE MUCH MORE COMMON. I WOULD NOT BE OVERLY CONCERNED NOW. DOCTORS SAY THAT TIME IT CAN TAKE FOR YOU TO ACTUALLY GET SICK AFTER THAT TICK BITE. IT COULD BE A WEEK, OR IT COULD STRETCH AS LONG AS A MONTH. AND DOCTORS ALSO SAY THAT SOMETIMES AFTER PEOPLE GET POWASSAN, NOTHING HAPPENS TO THEM. THEY FEEL OKAY.

Deadly Powassan tick virus confirmed in Sharon, Massachusetts

A confirmed case of Powassan virus has been reported in Sharon, Massachusetts, for the first time, and officials are warning warns residents to take precautions against the tick-borne disease.Powassan virus, much like Lyme, is transmitted through infected ticks. Although still rare, the number of reported cases of people sick from Powassan virus has increased in recent years, according to the Sharon Health Department. "The people that I've cared for at least, have come out the other side. There's no real treatment available so it kind of runs its course," said Tufts Medical Center's Dr. Alysse Wurcel. Symptoms of disease usually begin between one week and one month after the bite of an infected tick.Signs and symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties and seizures.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.After going outside, doctors recommend checking for ticks - on your body, on your kids and on your pets.

SHARON, Mass. —

A confirmed case of Powassan virus has been reported in Sharon, Massachusetts, for the first time, and officials are warning warns residents to take precautions against the tick-borne disease.

Powassan virus, much like Lyme, is transmitted through infected ticks. Although still rare, the number of reported cases of people sick from Powassan virus has increased in recent years, according to the Sharon Health Department.

"The people that I've cared for at least, have come out the other side. There's no real treatment available so it kind of runs its course," said Tufts Medical Center's Dr. Alysse Wurcel.

Symptoms of disease usually begin between one week and one month after the bite of an infected tick.

Signs and symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties and seizures.

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.

After going outside, doctors recommend checking for ticks - on your body, on your kids and on your pets.

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