Rare tick-borne virus confirmed in Dutchess

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. » A case of the rare but potentially serious tick-borne Powassan virus has been confirmed in a Dutchess County resident, according to the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health.

The resident contracted the virus in the late spring and is currently recovering at home, the department said in a press release.

Powassan virus can cause symptoms ranging from a mild flu-like illness to life-threatening neurologic disease, the release said. The release said that while the virus is a known risk from tick bites, it is a much rarer disease than more commonly diagnosed tick-borne infections like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Since 2007, there have been a total of 30 cases of Powassan in New York state, with seven of those cases in Dutchess County, the release said. The release said the first case in Dutchess County was recorded in 2009.

“Although risk of contacting any tick-borne disease peaks in June and July, ticks may be active in Dutchess County throughout the year if temperatures are above freezing,” department Commissioner Dr. Anil K. Vaidian said in the release. “Residents should remain diligent about tick bite prevention practices as they enjoy outdoor activities in these waning weeks of summer.”

Best practices to prevent tick bites include walking in the center of clear, well-traveled trails and avoiding walking through dense woods or brush, as well as wearing light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily spotted and using federal Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents containing the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin or IR3535.

For more information about ticks and tick-borne disease prevention, visit www.dutchessny.gov/ticks.