Health warning issued after Maynard MA resident contracts rare and dangerous tick-borne illness

Earlier this week, Maynard MA health officials issued a warning to Central MA residents after a confirmed case of Powassan virus, a very rare and dangerous tick-borne illness.

Powassan is viral infection passed from an infected tick to humans, which can cause encephalitis and meningitis – infections of the brain and spinal cord.  It cannot be spread from human-to-human.  Though rare, the number of reported illnesses resulting from Powassan in Central Mass have risen over the last few years.

Central MA tick protection is essential for the prevention of tick-borne illnesses, such as Powassan

Maynard Public Health Division and Town Administrator, Greg Johnson, are reminding Central Mass residents to always practice proper tick protection while enjoying the great outdoors.

If you are going into wooded or grassy areas, where ticks are prevalent, here are some easy rules to follow:

• Walk in the middle of wooded trails during hikes, away from foliage
• Use repellent, such as DEET or picaridin on exposed skin, strictly following product application instructions
• Check your entire body for ticks when you return from the outdoors – use a handheld or full-length mirror to help – ticks will try to hide in unseen areas, such as behind the ears, in the groin, armpits, and between toes
• Always check your pets for ticks when they come in from the outdoors

What if you find that you have been bitten by a deer tick?

If you find a tick attached after a day out, follow proper tick removal instructions, save the tick, and mark the date on your calendar when the bite occurred.  Then, be mindful of potential tick-borne illness symptoms, like:

• Fever/chills
• Aches and pains – headache, muscle aches, joint pain
• Rashes – like Rocky Mountain spotted fever rash, or the bullseye rash associated with Lyme disease

See Additional Tick Bite Information Here >> Is your tick bite infected?

At-home tick control in Central Mass

Not only is it important to protect yourself outdoors while you are away from Central Mass home, but it is imperative to hire a tick control company to protect your family at home.  A reputable Central MA tick control company will offer an EPA-registered treatment for your yard to keep your family safe from the threat of tick bites and tick-borne illnesses for up to three weeks.  Prevention is key!