This terrible tragedy took place in Connecticut, in the United States. A woman in her 90s died after contracting Powassan encephalomyelitis.
Un virus very rarely
A nonagenarian, living in the county of New Londonin the state of Connecticut (USA) died in early June after contracting the virus from Powassan following a bite from tick.
Nearly 28 cases of this rare virus are recorded each year in the world, recalls Closer. Yet about half of those infected lost their lives. At first, patients experience fever, headache and nausea. Then, the virus migrates to the brain, which can cause irreversible damage. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has made it clear that this virus cannot be transmitted from human to human.
An altered mental state
Doctors said the 90-year-old woman was admitted to hospital in mid-May two weeks after being bitten by a tick at the beginning of the month. Many symptoms were detected on his arrival: fever, headache, chest pain and a “altered mental state“. She lost consciousness before dying 14 days after being admitted to hospital.
Second death
Since the beginning of the year, two Americans who have contracted the virus from Powassan are deceased. Therefore, Dr Manisha Junathihealth commissioner of the Connecticutencouraged the population to “do what is necessary” to avoid the bites of ticks until late fall.
“It’s also important to check for ticks after going outside.”, she added. The virus of Powassan left 9 dead UNITED STATES in 2019.
> To read also: The reflexes to have in case of a tick bite
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