Recently, cases of Powassan virus have been on the rise in humans. Powassan is a tic-borne virus that is related to West Nile and encephalitis. While human beings can’t transmit the virus to each other, people can contract the disease from contact with ticks and some animals like rodents. Pet owners are at an increased risk of contracting the virus since they are more likely to be exposed to ticks, which are the main carriers of the disease.
Because of this, it is important to understand the symptoms and signs of Powassan virus so that you can recognize it in your pets and in yourself. If you think that your pet may have been exposed to Powassan, it is important to take them to see a veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS.
Understanding Powassan virus
Generally speaking, humans who contract Powassan virus are infected by a tick that carries the disease. Humans are considered to be “dead-end: carriers of the virus, which means that they do not develop the virus in their bloodstreams in high enough concentrations to infect feeding ticks. While the disease can be spread to humans and animals, the cycle of infection is maintained by infecting ticks and rodents. The ticks that carry Powassan bite rodents, infecting them, and then the rodents will infect any ticks that bite them. There are different types of Powassan that are found in the United States, and both types have been found to be infectious to humans.
How to detect Powassan
In some cases, Powassan virus will not manifest any symptoms in the infected human and there can be an incubation period of up to a month between the time that a bite occurs and when the illness is manifested. Powassan virus is a disease that can affect the central nervous system, leading to other diseases, including encephalitis and meningitis, both of which can lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms of Powassan include fever, vomiting or nausea, headache, weakness, confusion, lack of coordination, speech difficulties and even seizures. Although there is no preventative immunization to protect against Powassan, the disease can be treated through the use of medications and other measures. If you have been bitten by a tick and you notice any symptoms that could indicate that you might have Powassan, you should seek medical help immediately.
Call a veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS
Minimize your risk of contracting Powassan by safeguarding your pets against ticks with effective treatments from D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital. We are a locally owned and operated veterinary hospital that has been serving the community for decades with exceptional care and service. We offer a long list of services like vaccinations, bloodwork, orthopedic surgeries, spay and neutering, grooming services and boarding. We can even arrange to come to you if you are unable to make it into our office. Give us a call today or drop by to meet our fantastic team and keep your pets healthy and free of disease. We look forward to helping you!