A new tick-borne disease is spreading across the U.S. and infectious disease experts are concerned.
Powassan virus, which the CDC reports is related to West Nile, is still rarely gotten, but the affects can be fatal. While it is transmitted within hours of the contact with a tick, the virus can cause meningitis and brain inflammation called encephalitis.
The concern among doctors is the virus is now being spread by the common deer tick and not just the type that never bothered with humans. So far, the bulk of the cases of Powassan virus have been in Minnesota.
Those who do develop symptoms experience things like fever, confusion, weakness, vomiting, headache, and seizures within one to four weeks. The CDC has recorded eight deaths and reports 50 percent who survive experience permanent neurological symptoms.
Source: Fox News
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