It’s official—Illinois has recorded its first case of a rare tick-borne illness. While state health officials haven’t confirmed if the person was bitten here or while traveling, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is stepping up tick testing statewide.
As someone who lives in Rockford, this hits close to home, especially since many of us spend time at places like Rock Cut or local forest preserves where ticks are common.
What Is This Rare Tick-Borne Virus?
Download the WZOK Mobile App Now
The virus known as Powassan is spread by the bite of an infected tick, most often the black-legged deer tick. Unlike Lyme disease, this virus has no specific treatment. Health experts warn that even though this is the first reported case in Illinois, it’s a reminder that ticks aren’t just a summer nuisance; they can spread serious illnesses.
Symptoms to Watch For
Early symptoms may feel like the flu: fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, or weakness. But in severe cases, the illness can lead to brain inflammation or spinal cord issues. Serious warning signs include confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures. If you’ve been in wooded or grassy areas and feel sick afterward, see a healthcare provider right away.
How Illinois Residents Can Protect Themselves
IDPH urges everyone to “Fight the Bite” by:
- Wearing long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothing.
- Using EPA-approved tick repellents.
- Checking for ticks after spending time outdoors.
- Showering soon after outdoor activities.
Ticks may be tiny, but the health risks aren’t. Stay safe out there, Illinois.
LOOK: 11 tick-borne illnesses and what to watch out for during your outdoor adventures
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans from squirrels, mice, or other small mammals by ticks contaminated with Borrelia burgdorferi. It is the most common infection caused by tick bites in the U.S.; so named for the Connecticut town where the disease was first documented and studied.
Each year, more than 30,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease. Treatment is more effective the earlier it is applied. Visit a doctor if you have recently been in grassy areas or forests, have an oval shape rash, and present symptoms similar to the flu: fever, shivers, muscle pain, and headaches.
Babesiosis
Some patients might not show symptoms at all when infected with babesiosis, others might confuse it with the flu; however, when the parasitic infection goes undiagnosed for several weeks, life-threatening conditions can arise…