New arrivalYou can now listen to Fox News articles.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) recently published the second case of Powassan virus infection (POWV) in the state, with the first death in 2022, according to a press release.
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of Baseball for the State DPH, said:
“DPH emphasizes the use of insect repellents this summer, avoiding high-risk areas such as tall grass where mites can be found, and also carefully check for mites after going out. It’s important. This reduces the chances of you and your family. You are infected with this dangerous virus. “
The second most reported female patient in the state to test positive for the virus this year was between the ages of 90 and 99.
She lived in New London County, where she was known to have been bitten by a tick two weeks before her symptoms appeared.
She began to feel sick in early May and was subsequently admitted to a local hospital complaining of fever, mental status changes, headaches and chest pain, but died on May 17 after two weeks of unresponsiveness. I did.
Who: “Established” monkeypox in non-epidemic countries is a “real” risk
Tests conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the presence of antibodies against POWV.
Twelve cases of POWV-related disease were reported in Connecticut between 2017 and 2021, two of which were fatal.
The first case of POWV in Connecticut was a man in his 50s, a resident of Windham County, who became ill in late March after being bitten by a known tick.
He was hospitalized for a central nervous system disease, but was discharged and recovered at home.
“POWV is usually spread by bites of infected black feet or deer ticks,” Jutani added. It takes a week to a month from a bite from an infected tick to the onset of POWV disease, and the virus Only 15 minutes after the tick first attached. “
Some people infected with the virus have minimal or no symptoms, while others develop severe illnesses that affect the central nervous system.
Severe cases begin with fever, headache, and vomiting and can rapidly progress to confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, or seizures.
With each release, about 10% of cases of severe illness are fatal and about half of the survivors experience long-term health problems.
New vaccines may be an option for troops with religious concerns
There is no specific cure or vaccine for POWV, but severe illness may require hospitalization, respiratory support, and hydration.
To avoid tick bites, the Ministry of Health has considered the use of CDC-recommended mosquito repellents, skin checks immediately after returning indoors, and taking a shower within 2 hours of returning home. , It is recommended to avoid “grass, hairy, or wooded areas”.
Click here to get the Fox News app
It also reminds the general public that mites are most active from spring to autumn, but can also be active during the warm winters outside.
For more information on how to avoid powassan virus and tick bites, click here..