Winston Salem. – The tick known as ‘lone star’ is a carrier of a virus that can be deadly and is found in 11 states, including North Carolina.
This virus was first reported in Missouri and was recently found to have a different genetic fingerprint in Georgia than in other states. The researchers believe that a rapid mutation is likely.
“There are no formal tests or treatments for the virus, and the level of transmission from humans is unknown,” said Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec, a professor of environmental sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, in a post on the Health portal. Day. “It could become a public health concern as people spend more time outdoors.”
Background
Thirteen years ago, in 2009, two Missouri men were hospitalized with high fevers, diarrhea, muscle aches, and low white blood cell and platelet counts, among other symptoms.
At that time, the researchers called the disease “heartland” and determined that it was found in the “lone star” tick.
Since its discovery, at least 50 cases of the virus have been known in 11 states, according to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Delicate
When infections from these bites become severe, patients require hospitalization.
In certain cases of people with other chronic diseases who became infected, they died.
For now, the virus is known to have a presence in the following states: North Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee
How is?
This tick, which has a distinctive white spot on its back, is so tiny that it might not be noticeable on the skin.
The virus from your infection can cause fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain. It can also affect blood counts and the liver.
“We need to be aware of this tick, because it is a growing problem,” Marc Siegel, an infectious disease expert, told the site.
recommendations
The CDC advises the following precautions to protect yourself from tick bites.
- Know where there are ticks. They live mainly in areas with grass, bushes or trees, and even on animals.
- Treat your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
- Use insect receptacle containing DEET, picardine, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
- Check your clothes after being in the woods or fields.
- Put the clothes in the dryer for ten minutes on high heat.
- Shower after being outdoors.
- Do a full body check.
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