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Published Date: 2019-08-04 20:51:36
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (03): (NY)
Archive Number: 20190804.6605639
POWASSAN VIRUS ENCEPHALITIS - USA (03): (NEW YORK)
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Date: Thu 1 Aug 2019
Source: Daily Voice [edited]
https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/somers/news/hudson-valley-man-dies-from-rare-tick-borne-disease-pow/773134/


A Hudson Valley man has died from Powassan virus, a rare and often serious disease spread by infected ticks, health department officials said.

This is the 1st known case of an individual diagnosed with the Powassan virus in New York State this year [2019], the department said.

The resident, who lives in Gardiner, had additional underlying health conditions and died earlier this week, said the Ulster County Department of Health.

Powassan, known as "POW," is named after the Ontario, Canada town where it was identified in a young boy who eventually died from the virus.

POW is transmitted by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick [_Ixodes scapulars_]. Because it's a viral disease, it cannot be treated with antibiotics, health officials said.

The risk of getting Powassan [virus] is exceedingly low, the health department said.

Tens of thousands of people get tick bites every year, and typically, in New York State, anywhere from only 0-6 cases of Powassan infection are diagnosed each year.

"It is imperative that all residents take every precaution necessary against tick-borne illnesses, especially during outdoor activities," said Dr. Carol M. Smith, Ulster County Commissioner of Health and Mental Health. "Residents should vigilantly check themselves and their pets for ticks and tick bites."

All residents of and visitors to areas where POW virus activity has been identified are at risk of infection, the Centers for Disease Control said, especially those involved in outdoor work and recreational activities.

Symptoms of POW include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, and memory problems.

If you or a family member has been bitten by a tick and are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, please consult your doctor as soon as possible. Smith added.

The best way to avoid becoming ill with tick-borne diseases is to take proper precautions when spending time outdoors. These include:
- Staying on clear well-traveled paths.
- Wearing light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
- Tucking pants into socks.
- Use of insect repellents containing DEET for skin applications and Permethrin for clothing and shoes.
- Showering as soon as possible after spending time outdoors.
- Checking everyone including pets frequently, and, at the end of each day, removing all ticks promptly and properly.

[Byline: Kathy Reakes]

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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Cases of Powassan virus infection have been reported every year in recent years from one or more of the eastern and northeastern or midwestern states of the USA. A nearly identical report was submitted by Mary Marshall (<mjm2020@googlemail.com>): https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/02/health/powassan-tick-virus-death/index.html and underscored the occurrence of infections, and added: "In 2018, states reported 21 cases of Powassan virus disease to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 3 people died. Most cases occur in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions from the late spring through mid-fall, when ticks are most active, the CDC said."

There were cases in New York state in 2017 and 2018 (see archived posts below). - Mod.TY

HealthMap/ProMED map available at:
New York State, United States: http://healthmap.org/promed/p/234]

See Also

Powassan virus encephalitis - USA: (NJ) 20190610.6511838
2018
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Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (05): (NY) 20181008.6077846
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (04): (NY) 20180816.5970679
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (03): (RI) 2016 20180627.5880172
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (02): (NY) 20180615.5858753
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA 20180612.5852812
2017
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Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (09): USA (NY) 20171021.5395473
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (08): USA (NY) 20170727.5207785
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (07): USA (NY) 20170721.5193574
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (06): (NY) 20170714.5173571
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (04): (ME) 20170601.5077456
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (03): (NH) Alert 20170515.5037030
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA (02): (ME) 20170429.5003798
Powassan virus encephalitis - USA: (CT) 20170420.4983987
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