Powassan virus claims local life
Gardiner resident dies of tick-borne disease, New York state’s first reported case of 2019
A Gardiner resident has died from the Powassan virus, a rare disease spread by infected ticks, the Ulster County Department of Health announced Wednesday.
The health department did not identify the person, but a family friend told the Freeman it was a woman who was bitten more than a month ago and that she died this past Sunday.
This is the first known case of a person being diagnosed with the Powassan virus in New York State this year, the county health department said.
The department said the person who died had additional underlying health issues.
Powassan virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick. Because is a viral disease, it cannot be treated with antibiotics.
The risk of getting Powassan is exceedingly low, the health department said. In said there typically are fewer than six confirmed cases per year in New York state.
Still, “it is imperative that all residents take every precau
tion necessary against tickborne illnesses, especially during outdoor activities,” Dr. Carol M. Smith, Ulster County’s commissioner of health and mental health, said in a prepared statement Wednesday. “Residents should vigilantly check themselves and their pets for ticks and tick bites.”
A Dutchess County resident contracted Powassan virus in the spring of 2018 but recovered.
The family friend of the Gardiner woman who died told the Freeman she “was bitten by a tick more then a month ago, and a few weeks after that experienced severe symptoms and was hospitalized.” The friend asked not to be identified.
“After a week or so, the state health department determined it was Powassan, for which there is only supportive care, no treatment,” the friend said. “She was transferred to Columbia Presbyterian [Hospital in New York City], where she passed away this past Sunday.”
The county health department confirmed Wednesday that it had notified the state Department of Health.
The Freeman became aware of the local Powassan case last Friday, and learned of the death on Monday, but the county and state health departments did not respond to a reporter’s questions about the matter, and there was no confirmation of the case until the county department issued a press release about the death in an email sent at 5:08 p.m. Wednesday.
The county department said symptoms of the Powassan virus include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties and memory problems.
“If you or a family member has been bitten by a tick and are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, please consult your doctor as soon as possible,” the department said.
The county health department suggested the following preventive measures:
• Stay on clear well-traveled paths.
• Wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be spotted easily.
• Tuck pant legs into socks.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET for skin applications and Permethrin for clothing and shoes.
• Shower as soon as possible after spending time outdoors.
• Check family members, including pets, frequently and at the end of each day, and remove all ticks promptly and properly.
More information about the Powassan virus can be found online at on.ny. gov/2KfXZNl.