A rare, tick-borne disease is becoming more evident across Pennsylvania, adding to concerns about deer ticks that are already high due to Lyme disease.
State officials term the deer tick virus – a type of Powassan virus – as “rare but dangerous” after analyzing the results of an infection rate study of ticks in Centre, Wyoming, and Clearfield counties.
Deer tick virus – or “DTV” – has been increasing across the nation in recent years. It is transferred from ticks to humans in as little as fifteen minutes after a bite and can lead to fever, headaches, vomiting, and weakness. While some infections can go unnoticed, 91 percent of people who seek treatment for symptoms of DTV develop severe neuroinvasive complications. The infection can bring on encephalitis or meningitis, and can lead to death or long-term health issues.
The study has been ongoing for three years. So far, DTV infection in ticks has been identified in fifteen counties: Adams, Allegheny, Centre, Clearfield, Columbia, Dauphin, Fayette, Lebanon, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland, and Wyoming.
PRECAUTIONS (FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH):
Before You Go Outdoors
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellants (http://www.epa.gov/insect-repellants) containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Always follow product instructions.
- Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
- Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.
- Avoid Contact with Ticks and Mosquitoes
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
- Walk in the center of trails.
After You Come Indoors
- Check your clothing for ticks.
Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.
- Examine gear and pets.
Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks. - Shower soon after being outdoors.
Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
- Check your body for ticks after being outdoors.
Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:- Under the arms
- In and around the ears
- Inside belly button
- Back of the knees
- In and around the hair
- Between the legs
- Around the waist
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