As temperatures rise and outdoor activity increases, U.S. health officials are warning about Powassan virus, a rare but especially dangerous disease spread by ticks. The article says the virus is not a threat in Israel, but specialists stress that tick-borne illness remains a local concern and that prevention matters.
Unlike Lyme disease, which typically requires a tick to remain attached for 36 to 48 hours, Powassan can be transmitted within minutes of a bite. Dr. Jorge F. Parda, a medical adviser to the National Pest Management Association, told Fox News that the virus attacks the central nervous system and can cause encephalitis, speech problems, seizures and paralysis. Early symptoms may look mild and include fever, headache, vomiting and fatigue.
The article says 10% to 15% of severe cases are fatal, and about half of survivors are left with permanent neurological damage. A recent case highlighted the danger: John Reagan, a New Hampshire resident who had been active, was diagnosed about a month ago and is now hospitalized, bedridden, unable to speak clearly, and dependent on a ventilator and tube feeding. His family has launched a fundraising campaign to cover medical expenses.
In Israel, the virus itself is not present because the ticks that spread it are not common there, but tick-borne diseases do exist, especially Mediterranean spotted fever. That illness is usually carried by dog ticks and can cause high fever, muscle pain and a characteristic rash, and it can become serious without proper antibiotic treatment. The article advises anyone who develops fever after a hike or after finding a tick on their body to seek medical care, and recommends full-body tick checks, long sleeves and pants, regular tick prevention for pets, and careful removal with tweezers in a straight upward motion. Risk is highest from late spring through mid-autumn.
