The Cayuga County Health Department has received notification from the New York State Department of Health of the first confirmed case of Powassan virus in Cayuga County.
This is the furthest west in New York State that the virus has been identified.
Powassan virus is a rare, but often serious disease caused by a virus that is spread by the bite of an infected black-legged tick or deer tick.
Unlike other tick-borne diseases, Powassan virus can be transmitted to a human from an infected tick while being attached to a person for as little as 15 minutes.
Many individuals who become infected with the Powassan virus do not develop symptoms.
Those who do develop symptoms usually have symptoms within one to four weeks after being bit by a tick carrying this virus.
These symptoms can include, fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, and seizures.
Some of the more severe infections can include symptoms such as headache, high fever, confusion, tremors, seizures, paralysis, coma or death.
The Powassan virus can cause inflammation of the brain and meningitis
For more information, call the Cayuga County Health Department at 315-253-1560 or click here.
