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Rare tick disease poses a danger in Minnesota lakes area
State health officials say blacklegged ticks are moving north and Powassan cases remain rare but can cause permanent neurological damage.
- Minnesota Department of Health officials warn that the lakes area presents significant risks during peak tick season, with Elizabeth Schiffman noting late May through mid-July carries the highest risk for tick-borne diseases.
- Though less common than Lyme, Powassan virus is a severe threat; Matthew Aliota of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities notes about 5% of ticks carry the virus, which can cause permanent neurological damage.
- Data from 2008 to 2022 shows Cass and Itasca counties recorded the highest Powassan case numbers at six to seven cases each, while Teal Johannsen shared how her father, Jeffrey, contracted the virus near Gull Lake.
- Utilizing protective clothing and EPA-registered repellents like Permethrin is essential for prevention, as Schiffman advises checking for the EPA registration indicator on product labels to ensure repellents work as intended.
- Diagnostics for Powassan remain challenging because symptoms often mimic generalized illnesses like fevers and headaches, and Schiffman notes the virus is not regularly included in standard laboratory panels, complicating early detection.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
Duluth News Tribune+12 Reposted by 12 other sources
Rare tick disease poses a danger in Minnesota lakes area
GULL LAKE, Minn. — Tick populations are moving north this season, and there's been an increase in tick-bite-related emergency room visits, according to state health officials. The deer tick — also known as the blacklegged tick — can carry not only Lyme disease and other pathogens, but also Powassan virus, a fairly recent discovery which has no treatment and can leave behind permanent neurological damage. From 2008-2022, Cass and Itasca counties …
·Cherokee County, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left0Leaning Right6Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Right
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Right
67% Right
C 33%
R 67%
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