Tick Control at the Forefront After Powassan Fatality

Connecticut officials confirmed their first Powassan fatality, one of two reported cases in 2022. Vigilant tick protection measures are recommended as tick populations continue to grow.

According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of many states, which has not had even one confirmed case of the tick-borne illness, known as Powassan virus or POWV. Surveillance from 2011 through 2020 illustrates that the northeast and upper Midwest are the most at risk, but that doesn’t mean that Mt. Juliet residents should not worry about this potentially fatal disease. Our neighbors in North Carolina reported one confirmed case during the surveillance period, and that case too, resulted in a fatality.

In fact, between 2011 and 2020, 194 cases of Powassan virus were reported, resulting in 22 deaths.

Recently reported by the Connecticut State Department of Health is the first fatal case in that state this year. The Department said that the victim was admitted to a local hospital with fever, altered mental status, headache, chills, rigors, chest pain, and nausea. According to DPH, her condition worsened, and she became unresponsive over the following two weeks.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Powassan Virus is an emerging arboviral infection that can cause encephalitis and meningoencephalitis. It most commonly presents with neurologic symptoms, and among patients who become symptomatic, the case fatality rate is as high as 10% to 15%.”

Shield Yourself with Mt. Juliet Tick Control and Personal Protection

As tick populations thrive, we must take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones from contracting Powassan virus. It only takes one tick bite.

When out and about – especially in public parks, campgrounds, and heavily wooded grassy areas, here are ways to help prevent tick bites throughout Mt. Juliet:

1. Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin.

2. Wear light-colored protective clothing.

3. Tuck pant legs into socks.

4. Avoid tick-infested areas.

5. Check yourself, your children, and your pets daily for ticks and carefully remove any ticks you find.

When at home, Mt. Juliet tick control is your smartest option. Using the Mosquito Squad barrier tick control treatment, combined with placing tick tubes around your property, your exterior will be guarded from ticks all year long. When their cardboard tube exterior starts to naturally decompose, it’s time for us to replace them with new ones.

Seek an ounce of tick-borne virus prevention with professional Mt. Juliet tick control. Call Mosquito Squad of Nashville at 615-492-3662.