New Tick-Borne Virus May Be Emerging, Experts Warn

[McPick]

"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.

[John B]

I never worry about trail crazies or bears, but I do worry about ticks.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...cks/310009001/

[Leo L.]

This virus is more common in Europe, and has been our main worries regarding ticks for decades.
We have a vaccination against this virus, and a high percentage of the population is immunized by this vaccination.
I think, the vaccine is an Austrian invention from the 50ies.
It is debated some, as its not risk-free (just like every other vaccination).

Only since Lyme (we call it Borreliose) is more common in Europe nowadays, tick prevention is more asked for.

[TrappedInsideACube]

I never worry about trail crazies or bears, but I do worry about ticks.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...cks/310009001/

Ticks are by far my biggest fear in the woods.

[Raqstar]

Ticks are by far my biggest fear in the woods.

Mine too. I try not to be paranoid about it but if I was going to bail on my thru hike plans for next year, ticks would be a big part of the reason why. I picked up a tick on the Lone Star Trail two weeks ago and I was saturated in deet. I'm looking at options for treating clothing.

[zelph]

Deer Tick
deer tick.JPG

[dzierzak]

Mine too. I try not to be paranoid about it but if I was going to bail on my thru hike plans for next year, ticks would be a big part of the reason why. I picked up a tick on the Lone Star Trail two weeks ago and I was saturated in deet. I'm looking at options for treating clothing.

https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr...319-Permethrin

[Leo L.]

This virus is more common in Europe, ...

Sorry, while the symptoms seem to be very similar, the FSME Virus we have is something different than the Powassan Virus.

[Deacon]

Mine too. I try not to be paranoid about it but if I was going to bail on my thru hike plans for next year, ticks would be a big part of the reason why. I picked up a tick on the Lone Star Trail two weeks ago and I was saturated in deet. I'm looking at options for treating clothing.

DEET is not a deterrent for ticks. You have to use permethrin.

[BuckeyeBill]

DEET is not a deterrent for ticks. You have to use permethrin.

I have my clothes treated with Permethrin via sending them to InsectShield. For when I am in short sleeves and or shorts I use Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent. Contains no DEET, but works on mosquitoes (even those carrying West Nile Virus and ticks for 14 hours. Also works on stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers and sand flies up to 8 hours.

[DapperD]

Read in news today about it being reportedly found in Sussex NJ:http://www.nj.com/healthfit/index.ss...rt_river_index

[Chris10]

According to an NBC report ticks can infect the host with this in as little as 15 minutes, compared to an hour for Lyme.....

[Francis Sawyer]

Stupid ticks!