New Tick-Borne Virus May Be Emerging, Experts Warn
"As if Lyme disease isn't troubling enough, a more serious tick-borne disease may be emerging, experts warn. Powassan virus, which is a far rarer and more deadly pathogen than the bacterium that produces Lyme, is also transmitted by the deer tick. The virus can cause inflammation in the brain, which leads to death or permanent disability in 60 percent of cases."
Read the story here: http://www.today.com/health/worse-ly...xperts-t110892
The reported cases have mostly come from the Northeast and the northern part of the Midwest. List of cases through 2015, per the CDC:
- Maine (2)
- Massachusetts (8)
- Minnesota (20)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (3)
- New York (16)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (16)
Source: CDC
Excerpts:
“It’s quite possible that many, many more are infected ..."
"Few have heard of Powassan virus, but it’s been around for a long time."
"... the number of ticks carrying the disease is also on the rise."
"Not everyone is convinced that the virus is spreading fast."
"One thing experts do know is how the virus becomes deadly."
I was SO lucky during my 2006, and completed in 2008, AT hikes. I never saw a single tick. However, I met several hikers who had to abandon their hike due to Lyme disease. And, over the years, I've read reports of hikers (and members of the general public) who have contracted Lyme. As bad as Lyme is, and it's bad... This sounds far worse.
