The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding Illinoisans to take appropriate precautions against tick bites after an Illinois resident became seriously ill with Powassan – a tickborne illness that had not previously been detected in this state.  Powassan is a virus that can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick; the black-legged deer tick is most frequently associated with Powassan. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness. Powassan virus can cause severe disease, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), and can sometimes be fatal. Powassan cannot be spread human-to-human through casual contact.  Tips for how to avoid tickborne illnesses and have a healthy time outdoors include:

• Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to find. Tuck long pants into socks and boots. 

• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing 20% DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus according to label directions. The EPA has a search tool that can help you find the product that best suits your needs. 

• Conduct full-body tick checks on family members (underarms, ears, belly button, behind knees, between legs, waist, hair and scalp) every two to three hours. Also check any gear or pets taken on outings. 

• To kill ticks after being outdoors, put clothes in the dryer on high for 10 minutes (or one hour for damp clothes). 

• Bathe or shower within two hours after coming indoors. 

For more information, visit www.illinois.gov