To all my fellow moms and parents out there,

Is it just me or has the media been flooded with news of tick-borne diseases? I am 27 years old, I don’t ever remember my parents having the anxiety that I do about my daughter playing outside. I played with bugs. I had rabbits, deer, turkeys and all sorts of wildlife in my backyard. They were never constantly covering me in bug spray. I lived outside in the woods and was always playing in the dirt and grass, all day, every day. I enjoyed the occasional mud pie. I always believed it made the immune system stronger. I was never sick, never spent time in the hospital. (knock on wood)

Yet, I am paranoid every time I bring my daughter outside, or thinking about what my dogs are bringing back into the home. Whether it is Lyme disease or Powassan or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, even Zika virus. I can’t live like this. Now, I know, I am a little anxious and paranoid but am I just overreacting or do you feel the same? I feel as if last time I heard of Rocky Mountain Fever was in history class in middle school, I believe it was referred to as “the black measles”. I thought it was a thing of the past.

It is just heartbreaking to hear the stories of the parents who have gone through these treacherous ordeals of losing their children to RMSF. There are no words. Yet, I am grateful for the awareness flooding the media to prevent such future treacheries as much as possible. My goal is to give you the information you need to rest easy knowing you are prepared for this hot summer season.

Here are the facts

 

Powassan, commonly referred to as POW, is named after its’ origin place in Ontario after a child died from the virus in 1958. It is transmitted to humans from a tick bite in just a matter of 15 minutes. It is carried by multiple tick species, including the black legged deer tick and the woodchuck tick. The POW virus causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord causing encephalitis and meningitis damaging the central nervous system.

Preventative Treatment

 

These insects are not just invasive of our yards, but can be detrimental to our health and the health of our children. Unfortunately, in regards to treatment, there is nothing medically available to prevent or treat Powassan virus once it is contracted. This is why it is important to take preventative measures to protect your family.
No one wants to spend their summer months indoors rather than enjoying the weather so we suggest these preventative measures to be the most effective.

• Having your property treated by a professional for tick control, with top grade chemicals, and on a monthly basis.
• Keeping up on your property by mowing your lawn, trimming overgrown bushy areas, weeding flower beds and gardens, and removing piles of leaf litter.
• Avoid heavily wooded areas.
• Use a strong bug spray.
• Wear protective clothing; long pants, socks and closed toe shoes.
• Conduct full body tick checks frequently.

In Case of a tick bite

• Remove the tick with tweezers and disinfect the area.
• Save the tick and place in plastic bag for testing if need be.
• Carefully watch the bite area, looking for severely irritated or swollen skin.
• Observe for symptoms over the next month.

Remember ticks thrive in moist areas. They love grassy areas, and untrimmed brush that is not maintained. Contact your local Pest Management service and have your yard treated for tick control. Central and South New Jersey Residents please give us a call here at Balance Of Nature Inc. for all your Pest Management needs. 609-294-1729

Sources

 

 

The Center for Disease Control

 

https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/

NBC NEWS

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/health-officials-warn-of-deadly-powassan-virus-939132483586

TIME

http://time.com/4767290/powassan-virus-ticks/