Source: NPR Illinois
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported the state’s first-ever case of Powassan virus, a rare but serious tickborne illness. The infected individual became severely ill, and health officials are investigating whether the exposure occurred in Illinois or elsewhere. Transmitted primarily by the black-legged deer tick, Powassan can cause fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness, and in severe cases, brain inflammation (encephalitis), meningitis, seizures, or death. It cannot spread person-to-person.
With warm weather extending tick season, IDPH urges residents to “Fight the Bite” by wearing protective clothing, using EPA-approved repellents, avoiding tall grass and wooded areas, and performing full-body tick checks. Removing ticks within 24 hours greatly reduces infection risk. The department will conduct active tick surveillance in affected areas to monitor for Powassan and other diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis. Residents are encouraged to seek medical care for fever, fatigue, or headache after possible exposure.