- Maine officials warn residents to be wary of ticks after fatal case of Powassan virus disease
- The tick-borne illness claimed its first victim for this year on May 17 in Sagadahoc County
- The untreatable illness is considered to be relatively rare in the United States, with only about 25 cases reported every year since 2015
Officials from Maine are warning people within the state to be wary of ticks following a report of one man dying from the Powassan virus disease, a tick-borne illness.
In a statement, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that one adult hailing from Sagadahoc County was a fatal case of the Powassan virus disease. The resident reportedly died on May 17, making it the first known instance of the untreatable illness in the state in 2023.
Powassan Virus Disease
Authorities reported that the victim was identified as 58-year-old Robert J. Weymouth from Portland, Oregon. In a press release, the CDC said that cases of the illness are relatively rare in the United States. There are only about 25 reported cases every year since 2015, as per Boston.
Health officials say people can contract the virus primarily from infected deer or woodchuck ticks. They added that some people who have been bitten will never even notice symptoms of the illness.
However, people who do experience symptoms of the tick-borne illness may begin to develop fevers, headaches, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, or memory loss after a week to a month from the initial bite.
The CDC noted that some victims have even been known to experience severe neurologic issues, such as brain or spinal cord inflammation. Health officials added that roughly 10% of people infected with the illness die.
The fatal illness in Sagadahoc County was found to have developed neurological symptoms. According to CBS News, the widow of the deceased, Annemarie Weymouth, was now warning other people to protect themselves from the tick-borne illness.
Precautions Against the Tick-Borne Illness
She said that her husband was there but could not move his body due to the effects of the illness. The patient was able to point to words on a board as a way of communicating with the people around him. There were times when he pointed to the terms "scared," "afraid," and "frustrated."
Because the illness is untreatable, health officials urge anyone who experiences symptoms following a bite to contact their healthcare provider quickly. Among the cases reported since 2015, two people died in 2022.
One of the ways to protect yourself from tick-borne illness outdoors is by wearing insect repellent with DEET. You can also tuck your pants into your socks to prevent the arachnids from climbing up the opening. Avoiding tall grass, showering immediately after getting back inside, or having someone check your body for ticks are also good habits.
Officials also advise some precautions, such as walking in the center of trails and avoiding wooded, brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Light-colored clothing makes it easier for you to find ticks that could have climbed onto your body, said NBC Chicago.
