Maine reviews first dying of 2024 from uncommon tickborne illness
Two folks in Maine have had showed circumstances of the virus this 12 months
Up to date: 2:44 PM EDT Jun 13, 2024
An individual from York County has died from Powassan virus, the primary fatal case of the an infection in Maine this 12 months. There were two different circumstances in Maine, one every in Kennebec and Lincoln counties, this 12 months, however each other folks recovered.The Maine Heart for Illness Regulate and Prevention introduced the dying on Thursday. The remaining dying from the tickborne virus in Maine was once in Would possibly of remaining 12 months.The CDC says circumstances of Powassan are uncommon in america, with simplest about 20 to 50 circumstances reported in line with 12 months around the nation from 2018 to 2023. Maine recognized a document choice of seven circumstances of Powassan in 2023 and has recorded 25 infections of the virus since 2014, together with 4 deaths within the remaining decade. Two of the ones deaths are throughout the remaining 13 months.You contract Powassan in the course of the chunk of an inflamed deer or woodchuck tick. Deer ticks can also be energetic any time the temperature is above freezing, however are maximum energetic within the spring, summer time, and fall. Powassan virus might unfold from ticks to other folks in as low as quarter-hour after a chunk. Many of us inflamed with Powassan virus don’t get ill or have signs. For individuals who broaden signs, the time from tick chunk to feeling in poor health can also be as much as a month. Signs can come with fever, headache, vomiting, weak point, confusion, seizures, or reminiscence loss. Some other folks might enjoy severe neurologic issues, like mind or spinal twine irritation. About 10% of other folks with critical illness die. Other folks with weakened immune techniques have the next possibility of creating critical signs.
YORK COUNTY, Maine — An individual from York County has died from Powassan virus, the primary fatal case of the an infection in Maine this 12 months. There were two different circumstances in Maine, one every in Kennebec and Lincoln counties, this 12 months, however each other folks recovered.The Maine Heart for Illness Regulate and Prevention introduced the dying on Thursday. The remaining dying from the tickborne virus in Maine was once in Would possibly of remaining 12 months.
The CDC says circumstances of Powassan are uncommon in america, with simplest about 20 to 50 circumstances reported in line with 12 months around the nation from 2018 to 2023. Maine recognized a document choice of seven circumstances of Powassan in 2023 and has recorded 25 infections of the virus since 2014, together with 4 deaths within the remaining decade. Two of the ones deaths are throughout the remaining 13 months.You contract Powassan in the course of the chunk of an inflamed deer or woodchuck tick. Deer ticks can also be energetic any time the temperature is above freezing, however are maximum energetic within the spring, summer time, and fall. Powassan virus might unfold from ticks to other folks in as low as quarter-hour after a chunk. Many of us inflamed with Powassan virus don’t get ill or have signs. For individuals who broaden signs, the time from tick chunk to feeling in poor health can also be as much as a month. Signs can come with fever, headache, vomiting, weak point, confusion, seizures, or reminiscence loss. Some other folks might enjoy severe neurologic issues, like mind or spinal twine irritation. About 10% of other folks with critical illness die. Other folks with weakened immune techniques have the next possibility of creating critical signs.
