Ticks are in their prime, as evidenced by the first-ever reported case of the Powassan virus in the Syracuse area. This is the furthest west this rare disease has traveled, according to the state Health Department.

Only one or two cases of the Powassan virus are reported each year in New York state and only 75 cases across the country have been reported in the last decade. This makes this virus particularly rare, but especially significant to the Syracuse area. This is the furthest west the virus has ever traveled.

And once an infected tick bites a human, there’s no turning back.

“Powassan virus is a rare, but often serious disease caused by a virus that is spread by the bite of an infected black-legged tick or deer tick,” reports the Cayuga County Health Department. Unlike other tick-borne diseases, Powassan virus can be transmitted to a human from an infected tick while being attached to a person for as little as 15 minutes.”

Many people do not have symptoms of the virus, but for those who do, one may experience encephalitis or meningitis, triggering fever, headaches, confusion, weakness, difficulties in speed and coordination, seizures, paralysis, and even coma or death.

Luckily, the infected individual is out of the hospital now. Cayuga County Public Health officials urge citizens to avoid ticks this fall. This goes double for citizens with pets. Over 70% of people renting apartments report owning a pet, with cats and dogs at the top of the list.

Ticks have been increasing their range over the last few years. The east Asian longhorned tick has officially been identified as far north as Connecticut, according to new reports.

The invasive species was first found on farms in New Jersey back in 2017. The ticks were found primarily on sheep, but the species is known to prey on a large variety of mammals, including horses and dogs.

Around 44% of households across the United States home a dog. It’s essential that owners are checking their pets for ticks and other insect bites as the seasons change.

For now, it is unknown if this species is capable of transmitting common tick-borne pathogens. Those native to Asia, however, are known to carry several.

This could spell disaster for local ecosystems and humans alike if they continue to spread.

We are taught to be wary of ticks since they most commonly carry Lyme disease. An estimated 13.3 in every 100,000 New York residents were affected by Lyme disease in 2016, making New York state one of the most popular states for this disease with 2,623 confirmed reports.

To avoid ticks in New York, it’s recommended that you wear an insect repellant and light clothing outside to easily identify when ticks are on your clothes. You should also wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck pant legs into your socks to stop ticks from reaching your skin.

Even if you take the necessary precautions against ticks, you should always perform a thorough search for ticks after any activity outside. If you have been bitten by a tick, report your incident to the local authorities and visit a hospital if you show any signs of flu-like symptoms or experience any discomfort.