IDPH confirms first Powassan Virus case in Illinois, urges residents to guard against tick bites

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to take precautions against tick bites after confirming the state’s first case of Powassan virus, a rare but potentially serious tickborne illness.

Officials said an Illinois resident became seriously ill after contracting Powassan, though it remains under investigation whether the exposure occurred in Illinois or another state.

“With warm weather still prevalent, tick-borne diseases remain a potential threat here in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “It’s important for everyone to guard against tick bites and the serious illnesses they can cause. We urge everyone to ‘Fight the Bite’ by reducing opportunities for exposures and repelling tick bites by wearing preventive clothing.”

Powassan virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged deer tick. Early symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. Severe cases may lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), which can be fatal. Symptoms of severe disease include confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking and seizures. The virus cannot be spread between people through casual contact.

IDPH said it will conduct active surveillance—dragging and testing ticks for Powassan and other infections—in areas the patient visited before becoming ill.

The agency emphasized that tick bite prevention also reduces the risk of other tickborne diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.

Health officials advise residents to:

Walk in the center of trails and avoid tall grass and brush.

Wear light-colored clothing, long pants tucked into socks, and boots.

Apply EPA-approved repellents such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Conduct frequent full-body checks on yourself, children and pets.

Shower soon after being outdoors and dry clothing on high heat to kill ticks.

Remove ticks promptly; saving them can assist with species identification.

Residents who discover a tick that may have been attached for more than three days are urged to contact a healthcare provider to determine if preventive antibiotics are needed.

For more information on prevention, removal and symptom awareness, visit the IDPH website at dph.illinois.gov.