'The (Other) Deadly Virus': Maryland Reports First Travel-Related Death From Tick-Borne Virus

In a tragic turn of events, Maryland has reported its first tick-borne virus-related fatality. This tragedy serves as a warning of the dangers of outdoor activities and the significance of protecting oneself from tick-borne illnesses.

What Is The Disease That Maryland Has Found?

The Maryland Department of Health reported the state's first travel-related mortality from Powassan, a rare tick-borne infection.

According to the CDC, the Powassan virus is uncommon and is only spread from person to person in rare cases by blood transfusion. No vaccinations or medications are available to prevent or cure Powassan virus sickness. Most cases in the United States occur from late spring to mid-fall, when ticks are most active.

Credit: CBS

"We are very saddened to report the first death due to the Powassan virus in our state," Maryland Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Nilesh Kalyanaraman said in the announcement.

"Powassan is extremely rare; this is the first case ever recorded in Maryland. The guy became infected with the virus in Canada and then returned to Maryland. We do not believe Powassan poses a local transmission risk in Maryland. As always, we urge everyone to practice good tick-resistance habits or avoid tick-infested areas," Kalyanaraman added.

While recorded instances are rare, they have grown in recent years, according to the CDC.

Where Was This Illness First Contacted?

According to officials, the man caught the sickness in Canada and then returned to Maryland. On September 22, officials confirmed the presence of the infected tick bite for the first time.

How Many Cases Have Been Reported In 2023?

Credit: The Hill

As of October 3, the CDC identified nine other states with confirmed instances of the sickness in 2023, for 28 confirmed cases this year.

The Maryland instance still needed to be listed in the CDC's database. New York had six cases, Massachusetts had five, Maine and Connecticut each had four, Minnesota had three, Wisconsin and New Hampshire each had two, and Rhode Island and Pennsylvania had one.

The CDC recorded 44 cases in 2022, up from 24 cases in 2021. Each year since 2016, more than 20 instances have been documented.

During the previous decade, the number of instances per year remained generally in the single digits, never exceeding 16 cases.

How Can You Avoid Contact With Ticks?

Credit: The USA Today

Avoiding woody and brushy locations with dense grass and leaf litter will lower your risk of tick encounters. When you return from possibly tick-infested locations, even your garden, perform a comprehensive body check. Ticks can be found in the following places on your body and your child's body:

• Below the arm
• Ears and surrounding areas
• Inside the navel
• Knees at the back
• In the hair and around the hair
• Between the thighs
• Around the waist

Many people infected with the Powassan virus show no symptoms. Initial symptoms for people with them include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness.

The Powassan virus can potentially cause severe disease, such as infections of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and convulsions are all symptoms of severe disease.

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