Dangerous But 'Rare' Deer Tick Virus Found In More PA Counties

HARRISBURG, PA — A dangerous but rare deer tick virus has been detected in additional Pennsylvania counties, several state agencies announced Tuesday. The discovery comes just two months after the virus was found at its highest infection rate ever in Clearfield County, according to a report.

"The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection discovered unusually high infection rates" of the deer tick virus in samples taken from three sites: Fisherman's Paradise public fishing area in Centre County; Iroquois Trail near Tunkhannock in Wyoming County; and Lawrence Township Recreational Park in Clearfield County.

The infection rate exceeded 80 percent at all three locations, according to a Department of Environmental Protection release.

So far, the deer tick virus has been detected in a total of 15 counties, though infection rates outside the three "hotspot" locations are at 0.6 percent.

In January, the Department of Environmental Protection found an infection rate of 92 percent — the highest ever recorded anywhere in the country — in ticks at the Lawrence Township site, PennLive.com reported.

The previous highest rate at a single location in Pennsylvania was 11 percent, and the highest reported nationally was approximately 25 percent, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

According to officials, the deer tick virus is different from Lyme disease, which is prevalent in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

Blacklegged ticks, or deer ticks, are active even in winter when temperatures are mid-30s or higher. The Department of Environmental Protection has posted signage to alert the public and will do additional testing to reduce and monitor the number of ticks present in high-positivity areas.

The deer tick virus is a type of Powassan virus, which is rare in the United States; however, positive cases have increased in recent years. It is spread to people primarily through bites from infected ticks. It does not spread person to person through coughing, sneezing or touching.

A Powassan virus can be transmitted from tick to human in as little as 15 minutes after a bite. Other tickborne diseases, such as Lyme disease, take longer to cause infection. There are no vaccines or medicines to prevent or treat Powassan viruses. Preventing tick bites is the best way to reduce the risk of infection and disease.

Initial symptoms of a deer tick virus infection may include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. At times, infected people experience no symptoms; however, 91 percent of people treated for deer tick virus infections develop severe neuroinvasive disease.

Those who have severe disease caused by the deer tick virus may experience encephalitis or meningitis and require hospitalization, with symptoms including confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking or seizures.

About 12 percent of people with severe disease have died, and approximately half of survivors of severe disease have suffered long-term health impacts.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said Pennsylvanians should "take protective measures against ticks."

"Treating clothing and gear with tick repellent, and thoroughly checking for ticks after returning from the field, are among the steps hunters (and others) can take to prevent tick bites and stay safe while enjoying their favorite pursuit," Burhans said in a release.

Recommended precautions for anyone venturing outdoors include:

• Apply tick repellents containing permethrin to clothing and EPA-registered insect repellents such as DEET to exposed skin before entering the outdoors. Reapply as needed according to product label instructions.
• Wear light-colored outer clothing and tuck shirts into pants, and pants into socks.
• Walk in the centers of trails, and avoid wooded and brushy areas with low-growing vegetation and tall grasses that may harbor ticks.
• After returning home, remove all clothing, take a shower, and place clothing into the dryer on high heat to kill any lingering ticks. Examine gear such as backpacks for ticks.
• Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand or full-length mirror, including hidden areas such as the scalp, ears, armpits, belly button and between the legs.
• Check over any pets exposed to likely tick habitats each time they return indoors.
• If a tick is found attached to your skin, use tweezers to remove it carefully, including the head. Monitor for symptoms and contact your doctor with any questions.

For more information about tickborne disease prevention, visit the Department of Health's Tickborne Diseases website.