Could we have a Powassan virus invasion in Central Mass again in 2022?
Deer tick virus is rare, but in terms of where it is more likely to rear its ugly head…Central Mass could be a target once more in 2022. Officials in Pennsylvania are warning residents to protect themselves this year, as the virus has been found in 16 counties across the state. There have only been about 100 confirmed cases of Powassan virus in the U.S. in the last decade. That doesn’t sound too bad, huh?
16 of those 100 Powassan virus cases were in Massachusetts.
Even though deer tick virus is generally rare, if you live in the Northeastern or Upper Midwestern United States, you are more likely to encounter the illness. And since there is no vaccine and no cure, protection is 100% about tick bite prevention. What we know now, is that the disease is in our region, just a couple hundred miles away. Deer tick virus could be here already, lying in wait with the nasty ticks that transmit it.
How dangerous is Powassan? It’s potentially fatal. What’s more, unlike Lyme infection, which takes 24 to 48 hours of attachment, deer tick virus can be transmitted from a tick to a human in only 15 minutes! And Central Mass residents could be a bit complacent about deer tick sightings. After all, they seem to be everywhere. But if you are thinking, “Oh, it’s just another tick,” think again. It could be a deadly tick that has attached itself to you or your family member.
Visit the CDC’s website for information about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Powassan virus here.
Decrease your risk of infection with Wellesley tick control.
When I say that professional tick control is more important than ever with each new spring, I mean it. That is because whether Powassan has been diagnosed in our area or not, tick populations are expanding. Warmer winters, earlier springs, and deforestation all contribute to the increase in ticks throughout Central Mass. The more ticks we have, the better the chance that one of our family members encounters a tick-borne illness. Enlist the assistance of a trusted Wellesley tick control company, who can help keep your family protected from the threat of tick bites all year long. Tick yard spray is super important this time of year with the emergence of ticks from their overwintering domain. If you wonder when you should begin your Wellesley tick protection spray regimen, a great rule of thumb is April through the end of October.
