Connecticut man suffers from fatal brain infection caused by Powassan virus –

State officials said a Connecticut man recovered at home after a rare case of Powassan virus.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed last week that a man between the ages of 50 and 59 fell ill in March and developed a serious illness that affects his central nervous system, requiring hospitalization.

It’s the second high-profile case of the rare tick-borne virus in the region, and Maine reported one death from the Powassan virus just three weeks ago.

The extremely deadly virus attacks a person’s brain and nervous system, and there are no known effective vaccines or treatments or cures.

Black-legged ticks are often associated with a rare brain infection. The CDC reports that they are more common in the northeastern region of the United States, including Connecticut and Maine.

The virus is transmitted from animals to humans, usually through the bite of a tick or woodchuck. Authorities confirmed that this man had been bitten by a tick and warned others to take precautions.

“The identification of a Connecticut resident with a disease related to the Powassan virus highlights the need for steps to be taken to prevent tick bites from now until late fall,” he said. (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani said in a statement. declaration†

“Using insect repellent, avoiding tick-infested areas, and checking for ticks after going outside can reduce the chances of you or your children catching this virus.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is most commonly associated with black-legged ticks, which are more common in the northeastern parts of the United States.

A person will usually feel symptoms of the virus a week to a month after the tick bite.

Officials said that one in ten people infected with the virus will die. Authorities believe that even half of infected people are likely to experience some type of long-term symptoms.

Many people who are infected may not even know it, as most cases are completely asymptomatic.

Last month, the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reported that an unnamed man died from the virus, the first case reported in the United States this year.

The Maine man is said to have experienced severe neurological symptoms as a result of his infection, which is one of the normal symptoms of the virus.

Experts from the Maine CDC warned that anyone camping or hiking in a forested or densely vegetated area must be sick of ticks.

There is no cure or cure for the Powassan virus, an extremely deadly brain infection that causes significant nerve and neurological symptoms and kills about 10% of those infected (archive photo)

People should avoid diving deep into the state and instead stick to established roads and routes.

A person should also make sure they are covered to avoid being bitten and use bug spray to repel any creatures.

If a person enters an area where there is a high risk of encountering ticks, they should regularly check themselves for bites, make sure they take a shower and wash themselves and their clothes thoroughly.

“Ticks are active and are now looking for a host to bite,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah, as reported by WMTW.

“I urge people and visitors to Maine to take precautions to prevent tick bites.”

The name of the virus comes from the town in Powassan, Ontario, where it was discovered in a boy in 1958.

It causes about 25 infections in the United States each year.