By Anne Levin

Tick season is here, and a rare, tick-borne virus has already been confirmed in New Jersey. But the often fatal Powasson virus has not been recorded in the Princeton area.

According to Jeffrey Grosser, Princeton’s assistant administrator and health officer, residents should take the usual precautions this summer when spending time in local parks or hiking area trails.

“The Powasson virus is somewhat abnormal for the area, and we have not seen it here,” he said. “That being said, it is a pretty intense disease. So if you feel like you have some symptoms you haven’t had before that might be from a tick, go to the doctor.”

The recent death of an elderly North Jersey man who had contracted Powasson virus after being bitten by a tick has brought the virus into the forefront. Considered an emerging disease with a growing number of human cases, the virus is transmitted through a bite from a deer tick. It can cause encephalitis, meningitis, fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, seizures, or no symptoms at all, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no vaccine or treatment available, and individuals with other pre-existing medical conditions are at greater risk for developing complications.

Diagnosing Powasson virus is complicated and takes time, since blood samples have to be sent to the Centers for Disease Control for testing. In 2016, 22 cases were reported across the United States. “What’s concerning is the fact that the signs and symptoms progress pretty quickly, in one to four weeks,” said Grosser.

While no cases of Powasson virus have been reported locally, Lyme disease continues to be a significant problem in this area. In Princeton, there are more cases of Lyme than any other reportable illness, according to Grosser. “The number of Lyme cases continues to creep up,” he said. “This is our moment to highlight prevention tactics.”

The disease is a problem all over the United States. Grosser said 36,429 cases were confirmed in this country in 2015. That figure rose to 42,743 a year later. In Princeton, the health department sees about 70 to 80 cases a year, out of over 200 reportable illnesses. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.

“Lyme can be pretty debilitating, but it is preventable,” Grosser said. Among his recommendations:

Give children a bath after they come in from playing outside, especially in wooded or grassy areas; keep grass cut relative short; use mulch borders; make sure children’s playgrounds aren’t located under trees; wear colored clothing so ticks are visible; and if you have long hair, have a friend check your head. Check dogs’ fur, with a LED bulb on a flashlight if needed.

The health department does not recommend using insecticides or pesticides unless absolutely necessary. “Just look around and try to avoid areas where there are bushes close to walkways,” Grosser said. “It’s not a surprise that Princeton sees a lot of Lyme cases, because people here spend a lot of time outside. They go to parks. They hike. They go on nice walks. And that should continue, but just with precautions.”