Dangerous Tick Virus Discovered in Winnebago County

Northern Illinois has a new bug problem to worry about this year. It's called Powassan virus, and it has recently been discovered in ticks in Winnebago County.

Cons of Summer in Illinois

When spring arrives, most people living in Illinois are chomping at the bit for summer to begin, but I am not always one of them.

Of course I love lazy days at the beach, pool, or on the boat. I look forward to all the summer festivals, concerts, and vacations, but I do NOT like the bugs that warmer weather brings.

Nothing ruins an outdoor adventure for me faster than extreme heat, humidity, and insects that sting and bite me, especially when those biting bugs can make me super sick too.

Powassan Virus Discovered in Winnebago County

By now I hope we all know that ticks can carry some serious illnesses, and that it is always important to protect ourselves from tick bites. Now it's even more important to do it this spring and summer in Illinois.

The Winnebago County Health Department has confirmed that Powassan virus has been detected for the first time in some Winnebago County ticks.

Until recently, Powassan virus had been found mostly in the northeastern U.S. and parts of the Great Lakes region, but experts believe its appearance here could be linked to expanding tick populations and changing environmental conditions.

Powassan virus is rare, but it can be extremely serious. It can attack the nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues. There is no vaccine for Powassan virus, and survivors of extreme cases may experience long-term neurological problems like memory issues and muscle weakness.

Early symptoms of Powassan virus include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness, and can appear within hours of an infected tick bite. As the illness progresses, more serious symptoms like confusion or difficulty speaking, seizures, loss of coordination, or paralysis may develop.

Ticks are already out in the Stateline area, so PLEASE protect yourself from bites when you are outdoors now!

Here are some helpful tips for avoiding tick bites this spring and summer from the Winnebago County Health Department: