Tick season is expected to be especially bad this year. With that comes serious concern for adeadly virus called Powassan.
Experts at a Waukesha lab who focus on the virus believe it is on the rise in Wisconsin. Coppe Healthcare Solutions has dedicated more than a year of research to learning more about Powassan Virus.
"We had people from all over the state picking ticks off of themselves and their pets," said Dr. Constance Knox.
Wisconsin DNR and schools sent thousands of ticks to the lab.
"That tick study showed that in certain parts of Wisconsin, Powassan virus is at 4.5 to 5 percent," said Knox.
Powassan is a deadly virus that can be transmitted in just 15 minutes when a tick attaches to skin. The Wisconsin Health Department shows four cases last year, up from just one the year before. However, Knox believes many go unreported.
"It's not just months, maybe years that people have been suffering and really not knowing why?," she said.
Once Coppe Healthcare Solutions finished their studies they came up with first of its kind testing.
"There is no commercial laboratory offering the kind of Powassan testing that we are," said Knox.
Physicians send blood samples to lab where scientists search for the virus. Although Powassan cases are usually rare, prevention is key. It's important to frequently check for ticks and wear repellant.
Eight people have died from the virus since 2006. The scariest part is there's no cure. Doctors can only treat symptoms. The most common symptoms for the Powassan Virus are fever, headache, nausea and weakness.
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