Pennsylvanians planning to enjoy the outdoors this spring can take steps to protect themselves against potentially serious tick borne diseases, including Lyme disease and the rare but dangerous Deer Tick Virus, which has been found in ticks at high levels for the first time in multiple locations around the state.
“Lyme disease has been present in all 67 counties for some time, and unfortunately, the prevalence of the very serious Deer Tick Virus appears to be increasing in some tick populations,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
“The Department of Health estimates that there is at least one Lyme disease case for every 100 people in Pennsylvania every year,” said Pennsylvania Department of Health Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson. “Lyme disease can cause flu-like symptoms and a rash in the early stages, but the infection could spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system if not addressed. If you are experiencing symptoms, I encourage you to see your healthcare provider right away.”
For hunters, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said, “Treating clothing and gear with tick repellent and thoroughly checking for ticks after returning from the field are among the steps hunters can take to prevent tick bites and stay safe while enjoying their favorite pursuit.”
“Anglers and boaters should take note of this warning as they make plans for the start of trout season and other adventures on the water this spring,” added Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer. “Just as we urge boaters to always wear a life jacket, you can further protect yourself by wearing tick repellent clothing or keeping a bottle of tick repellent spray in your tackle box.”
Recommended precautions for anyone venturing outdoors include:
– Apply tick repellents containing permethrin to clothing and EPA-registered insect repellents, such as DEET, to exposed skin before entering the outdoors; reapply as needed according to product label instructions
– Wear light-colored outer clothing and tuck shirts into pants, and pants into socks
– Walk in the center of trails and avoid wooded and brushy areas with low-growing vegetation and tall grasses that may harbor ticks
– After returning home, remove all clothing, take a shower and place clothing into the dryer on high heat to kill any lingering ticks; examine gear, such as backpacks, for ticks
– Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand or full-length mirror, including hidden areas, such as the scalp, ears, armpits, belly button and between the legs
– Check over any pets exposed to likely tick habitats each time they return indoors
– If a tick is found attached to your skin, use tweezers to remove it carefully, including the head; monitor for symptoms and contact your doctor with any questions
DTV-positive ticks were discovered during routine testing as part of DEP’s active tick surveillance program, a five-year pilot program that began in 2018. A type of Powassan virus, the Deer Tick Virus is rare in the U.S., but positive cases have increased in recent years. It is spread to people primarily by bites from infected ticks and does not spread person-to-person through coughing, sneezing or touching.
Powassan virus can be transmitted from tick to human in as little as 15 minutes after a bite occurs, while other tick borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, take much longer to cause infection, often 24 hours or more after the tick attaches to the host. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Powassan viruses. Preventing tick bites is the best way to reduce risk of infection and disease.
Initial symptoms of a DTV infection may include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. Some people who are infected with DTV experience no symptoms, and therefore infection may go undetected. However, 91 percent of patients treated for DTV infections develop severe neuroinvasive disease.
Those who exhibit severe disease from Deer Tick Virus may experience encephalitis or meningitis and require hospitalization, with symptoms including confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking or seizures. About 12 percent of people with severe disease have died, and approximately half of survivors of severe disease have suffered long-term health impacts.
Visit cdc.gov/powassan/index.html for more information.
