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| First Maryland Fatality Caused by Uncommon Tick-Borne Disease Confirmed |
Maryland Records First Death from Powassan Virus, a Tick-Borne Illness
Maryland health officials announced on Friday the unfortunate confirmation of the state's first death resulting from the Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness. The Maryland Department of Health verified the presence of the Powassan virus on September 22, following subsequent confirmatory tests. The individual in question contracted the virus while traveling, having visited Canada before returning to Maryland.
Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, expressed his condolences, stating, "We are very saddened to report the first death due to the Powassan virus in our state. Powassan is very rare, and this is the first-ever case recorded in Maryland. The individual contracted the virus in Canada and returned to Maryland afterward. We do not believe that Powassan poses any threat of local transmission in Maryland. As always, we urge everyone to practice good habits when in areas that could have ticks or avoid those areas altogether."
The Powassan virus is exceptionally rare and is not known to spread from person to person, except in isolated cases through blood transfusions. Currently, there are no vaccines or specific medications available for the treatment of Powassan virus disease. Most cases in the United States occur in the northeast and Great Lakes regions, primarily from late spring to mid-fall when ticks are most active.
As of October 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had reported 28 cases of Powassan virus in nine states. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, vomiting, and general weakness, often progressing to a severe neurological condition called meningoencephalitis, which exhibits symptoms such as mental confusion, seizures, paralysis, and palsies. If left untreated, it can be fatal.
In the United States, cases of Powassan virus disease are predominantly reported in Northeast and Great Lakes states.
To raise awareness and promote prevention, the Maryland Department of Health will launch the "Maryland, Get Ticked Off!" campaign next week, focusing on protecting against tick bites. This initiative includes a Tickborne Disease Occupational Toolkit containing essential health information for individuals whose job sites and activities put them at risk for tick bites.
According to CDC research, the incidence of all tick-borne diseases more than doubled from 2004 to 2016. Ticks are responsible for 95 percent of all locally acquired vector-borne illnesses, with Lyme disease accounting for 80 percent of these cases.
Despite their reputation as disease vectors, ticks also serve vital roles in ecosystems and are harmless to humans and animals. They are a significant food source for reptiles, birds, and amphibians, making their presence an indicator of an ecosystem's overall health and stability.
Additional Information on Tick-Borne Illnesses:
1. Lyme Disease: Lyme disease can result in various symptoms, including fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis if left untreated, depending on the stage of infection. Other symptoms may include chills, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. In 2020, nearly all states reported at least one case of Lyme disease.
2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This illness typically presents with a fever, headache, and rash. Without prompt treatment with the right antibiotics, it can be fatal. Cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are found throughout the United States, with higher incidence in five states—Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
3. Ehrlichiosis: Ehrlichiosis has three strains, with one potentially being deadly, especially in children around the age of 10 and adults around 70. It is most commonly reported in the Southeast and South Central United States, with Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas accounting for a significant portion of cases.
Other tick-borne illnesses include Babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, Colorado tick fever, Heartland and Bourbon virus diseases, Rickettsiosis, Tick-borne relapsing fever, and Tularemia. These illnesses can have varying symptoms and geographic distributions, highlighting the importance of tick prevention and awareness.
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