Powassan Virus & Ticks: What You Need to Know

You may have seen reports that Powassan virus is on the rise. Powassan virus is a rare but serious disease that can be transmitted to humans via a bite from a tick. Although it is sometimes referred to as “Deer Tick Virus,” the disease can be carried by any tick species. Powassan causes inflammation of the brain, or encephalitis, often causing permanent neurological damage or even death.

So the question is, should you be worried? Well, not entirely. While cases of Powassan have primarily been occurring in the northeastern and Great Lakes regions of the United States, only 50 cases have been reported in the past 10 years. Here in Massachusetts, there were only four recorded cases in 2014. The virus is rare, with approximately 1% to 6% of ticks being infected.

But that doesn’t make the virus any less serious. If you do get bitten by an infected tick, the virus takes only 15 minutes to transfer to the human host. Compare that to the 24 to 48 hours it takes for Lyme disease to transfer.

According to the CDC, symptoms can take between one week and one month to appear. These include weakness, fever, vomiting, dizziness, headache, confusion, loss of coordination, seizures, memory loss, and speech difficulties. Though the cases are few, 10% have been fatal and 50% resulted in permanent neurological damage, including memory loss.

What makes this more serious is that there is no vaccine for Powassan virus. Once diagnosed, patients are admitted to the hospital for treatment of their symptoms in hopes that they can fight the virus off.

And what about our furry friends? A few cases of Powassan have been found in some wildlife, but whether the virus affects dogs and cats is unknown. According to Dr. Scott Weese of Ontario Veterinary College, testing for Powassan in pets is limited so it’s still important for pet owners to keep their animals safe.

What can be done?

In this case, the best offense is a good defense. Here are some tips for keeping you and your pets safe from ticks and any potentially life threatening illnesses.

1) Tick Repellent - For humans, it is important to use insect repellent for any outdoor adventure. The best and strongest products use DEET to ward off unwanted ticks. For dogs, a topical tick treatment should be applied monthly. You can also get a tick collar for your dog that can be worn for up to 8 months. RiverDog recommendsK9 Advantix topical medication and the Seresto flea and tick collar for you dog.

2) Long Clothing - Even though it’s warm, long pants, long shirts, and tall socks are important to wear when spending long periods of time outside. Look for clothing made from light cotton or linen fabrics so you won’t sweat. You can even dress your dog! At RiverDog we sell Guardian Gear insect shield shirts as extra insect protection.

3) Check Yourself - As soon as outdoor play is over, thoroughly check yourself and your pet for any ticks that may have hitched a ride. Using a fine-toothed tick comb such as the Grip Soft Comfort Comb for long-haired pets is essential to finding ticks. Also comb your own hair and check warm areas of the body.

4) Take a Bath - Taking a shower as soon as you get home creates another opportunity to check for ticks and wash them away in the process. For your dog or cat, use a tick removing shampoo such as Advantage treatment shampoo or U. Tick Me Off natural tick shampoo to get any pesky visitors the comb may have missed.

Follow these four tips, and you and your furry friend will be sure to have a fun and healthy summer. Enjoy the sun!