The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding Illinoisans to take appropriate precautions against tick bites after an Illinois resident became seriously ill with Powassan virus – a tickborne illness that had not previously been detected in this state.
IDPH and the local health department are currently investigating whether the resident was exposed to the illness through a tick bite in Illinois or in a different state. IDPH says the case serves as a reminder to protect oneself against any and all illnesses associated with ticks.
Powassan is a virus that can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick; the black-legged deer tick is most frequently associated with it.
Powassan virus can cause severe disease, including inflammation of the brain or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord and can sometimes be fatal. Symptoms of severe disease include confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures. Powassan cannot be spread human-to-human through casual contact.
IDPH will be conducting active tick surveillance, such as dragging and testing ticks for Powassan and other infections, in areas of Illinois where the case spent time prior to their illness.
