ALERT: Powassan Tick Virus On The Rise
The Powassan Tick virus has been receiving a lot of exposure on the news lately. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station recently identified several cases of this previously rare tick-borne illness in Bridgeport and Branford.
Unlike Lyme Disease, this illness is caused by a virus which cannot be treated using antibiotics. Victims may experience an onset of debilitating symptoms such as seizures, stiff neck, weakness, and loss of coordination in as little as 15 minutes following a tick bite.
Given the lack of conventional treatment options, the best course of action is personal prevention. Wear long sleeves and pants to help cover exposed areas of skin while outdoors. As an added-layer of protection, apply insect-repellent with 20-30% DEET to discourage tick activity on skin and clothing. Finally, perform a tick-check after any outdoor activity to ensure that no ticks are present.
The other means of protecting yourself and your family is to reduce the number of ticks in your yard. We are pleased to offer an organic tick spray program which will control the ticks that cause Powassan Virus as well as Lyme Disease. If you are interested in adding this service to your contract, please let us know.
No one method is 100% certain to eliminate ticks, and we recommend combining multiple strategies to keep you and your family safe this season. By spraying your yard where you spend a lot time with your family during the summer months, applying a personal repellent, and covering exposed skin, you will significantly reduce the risk of a tick borne illness. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
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