RE: Re: FW: Health Alert : Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan...

June 30, 2011

My dad and husband (not in the yard much like me) both had the active tick

infections and had to take antibiotics. My daughter had a mosquito bite (my

hubby said followed West Nile pattern) was VERY sick for 2 weeks (finally

recovering). I have been wearing the OFF clip on with great success since I

pulled multiple ticks off of me in the spring. BAD YEAR!!!

> **

>

> Hmmm, I'm visiting in N. Minnesota at the time and a relative that works

> at a VA hospital sent me this! AND, my brother had a typical tick bite with

>

> a typical Lyme Disease " bull's eye " just 10 days ago.

>

> Jan

> (And, if somebody could do something about the swarms of mosquitos, that

> would be nice too! ha)

>

> Subject: FW: Health Alert : Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne

> Powassan Virus (#40647)

>

> FYI~

>

> Health Alert:Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus

>

> Action Step: Please forward this information to clinics and hospitals

> within your jurisdictions.

>

> The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will issue a press release today

> reporting the first known death in Minnesota from Powassan (POW) virus, a

> tick-borne flavivirus that can cause encephalitis or meningitis. A second

> case of encephalitis likely due to POW virus was also reported to date in

> 2011. The press release will emphasize the use of repellents containing

> DEET

> or permethrin to prevent tick bites. It will be available later today at

> www.health.state.mn.us.

>

> MDH urges medical providers to note the following (also available at

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html))

>

> -Powassan (POW) virus, a tick-borne flavivirus related to West Nile virus,

> can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Six POW cases were identified in

> Minnesota residents from 2008-2010. In 2011, two cases of encephalitis

> likely

> due to POW virus have been identified to date. One case, a woman in her 60s

>

> from northern Minnesota, died from the infection. The other case, a man in

> his 60s from Anoka County, is recovering at home.

>

> -One strain of POW virus is transmitted by blacklegged ticks (also known

> as deer ticks) (Ixodes scapularis), which also carry Lyme disease,

> anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

>

> -POW cases in Minnesota from 2008-2011 were exposed to ticks in a wide

> area of northern Minnesota. MDH has also identified POW-positive ticks

> across

> northern Minnesota and in southeastern Minnesota.

>

> -Medical providers should consider the possibility of POW virus infection

> in patients with central nervous system disease who have recent histories

> of activities in wooded areas (with or without known tick bites) during

> Minnesota's warm weather months.

>

> -The only laboratories that offer testing for POW virus are at state

> health departments (including MDH) and CDC. At this time, no commercial

> laboratories offer serologic testing for the virus.

>

> -Serum or CSF specimens from patients with central nervous system disease

> can be submitted directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for arboviral

>

> disease testing, including POW virus.

>

> -In the event of a Minnesota state government shutdown starting July 1,

> please contact MDH at to speak with an on-call epidemiologist

>

> about timely testing for POW virus on a case-by-case basis. Specimens sent

> directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory without prior consultation

> with

> an MDH epidemiologist will likely not be tested until the shutdown is over.

>

> REPORTABILITY

> Viral encephalitis and arboviral diseases are reportable to MDH; reports

> need to include demographic, clinical, and laboratory information. Please

> contact MDH tick-borne disease epidemiology staff at for

> associated forms.

>

> More information / guidelines

> MDH: Tick-borne disease epidemiology or

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)

>

June 30, 2011

My dad and husband (not in the yard much like me) both had the active tick

infections and had to take antibiotics. My daughter had a mosquito bite (my

hubby said followed West Nile pattern) was VERY sick for 2 weeks (finally

recovering). I have been wearing the OFF clip on with great success since I

pulled multiple ticks off of me in the spring. BAD YEAR!!!

> **

>

> Hmmm, I'm visiting in N. Minnesota at the time and a relative that works

> at a VA hospital sent me this! AND, my brother had a typical tick bite with

>

> a typical Lyme Disease " bull's eye " just 10 days ago.

>

> Jan

> (And, if somebody could do something about the swarms of mosquitos, that

> would be nice too! ha)

>

> Subject: FW: Health Alert : Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne

> Powassan Virus (#40647)

>

> FYI~

>

> Health Alert:Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus

>

> Action Step: Please forward this information to clinics and hospitals

> within your jurisdictions.

>

> The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will issue a press release today

> reporting the first known death in Minnesota from Powassan (POW) virus, a

> tick-borne flavivirus that can cause encephalitis or meningitis. A second

> case of encephalitis likely due to POW virus was also reported to date in

> 2011. The press release will emphasize the use of repellents containing

> DEET

> or permethrin to prevent tick bites. It will be available later today at

> www.health.state.mn.us.

>

> MDH urges medical providers to note the following (also available at

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html))

>

> -Powassan (POW) virus, a tick-borne flavivirus related to West Nile virus,

> can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Six POW cases were identified in

> Minnesota residents from 2008-2010. In 2011, two cases of encephalitis

> likely

> due to POW virus have been identified to date. One case, a woman in her 60s

>

> from northern Minnesota, died from the infection. The other case, a man in

> his 60s from Anoka County, is recovering at home.

>

> -One strain of POW virus is transmitted by blacklegged ticks (also known

> as deer ticks) (Ixodes scapularis), which also carry Lyme disease,

> anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

>

> -POW cases in Minnesota from 2008-2011 were exposed to ticks in a wide

> area of northern Minnesota. MDH has also identified POW-positive ticks

> across

> northern Minnesota and in southeastern Minnesota.

>

> -Medical providers should consider the possibility of POW virus infection

> in patients with central nervous system disease who have recent histories

> of activities in wooded areas (with or without known tick bites) during

> Minnesota's warm weather months.

>

> -The only laboratories that offer testing for POW virus are at state

> health departments (including MDH) and CDC. At this time, no commercial

> laboratories offer serologic testing for the virus.

>

> -Serum or CSF specimens from patients with central nervous system disease

> can be submitted directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for arboviral

>

> disease testing, including POW virus.

>

> -In the event of a Minnesota state government shutdown starting July 1,

> please contact MDH at to speak with an on-call epidemiologist

>

> about timely testing for POW virus on a case-by-case basis. Specimens sent

> directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory without prior consultation

> with

> an MDH epidemiologist will likely not be tested until the shutdown is over.

>

> REPORTABILITY

> Viral encephalitis and arboviral diseases are reportable to MDH; reports

> need to include demographic, clinical, and laboratory information. Please

> contact MDH tick-borne disease epidemiology staff at for

> associated forms.

>

> More information / guidelines

> MDH: Tick-borne disease epidemiology or

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)

>

June 30, 2011

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/health/personal-care/off-clipon

-mosquito-repellent

Check this out.

Digna

FW: Health Alert : Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne

> Powassan Virus (#40647)

>

> FYI~

>

> Health Alert:Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus

>

> Action Step: Please forward this information to clinics and hospitals

> within your jurisdictions.

>

> The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will issue a press release today

> reporting the first known death in Minnesota from Powassan (POW) virus, a

> tick-borne flavivirus that can cause encephalitis or meningitis. A second

> case of encephalitis likely due to POW virus was also reported to date in

> 2011. The press release will emphasize the use of repellents containing

> DEET

> or permethrin to prevent tick bites. It will be available later today at

> www.health.state.mn.us.

>

> MDH urges medical providers to note the following (also available at

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html))

>

> -Powassan (POW) virus, a tick-borne flavivirus related to West Nile virus,

> can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Six POW cases were identified in

> Minnesota residents from 2008-2010. In 2011, two cases of encephalitis

> likely

> due to POW virus have been identified to date. One case, a woman in her

60s

>

> from northern Minnesota, died from the infection. The other case, a man in

> his 60s from Anoka County, is recovering at home.

>

> -One strain of POW virus is transmitted by blacklegged ticks (also known

> as deer ticks) (Ixodes scapularis), which also carry Lyme disease,

> anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

>

> -POW cases in Minnesota from 2008-2011 were exposed to ticks in a wide

> area of northern Minnesota. MDH has also identified POW-positive ticks

> across

> northern Minnesota and in southeastern Minnesota.

>

> -Medical providers should consider the possibility of POW virus infection

> in patients with central nervous system disease who have recent histories

> of activities in wooded areas (with or without known tick bites) during

> Minnesota's warm weather months.

>

> -The only laboratories that offer testing for POW virus are at state

> health departments (including MDH) and CDC. At this time, no commercial

> laboratories offer serologic testing for the virus.

>

> -Serum or CSF specimens from patients with central nervous system disease

> can be submitted directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for

arboviral

>

> disease testing, including POW virus.

>

> -In the event of a Minnesota state government shutdown starting July 1,

> please contact MDH at to speak with an on-call epidemiologist

>

> about timely testing for POW virus on a case-by-case basis. Specimens sent

> directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory without prior consultation

> with

> an MDH epidemiologist will likely not be tested until the shutdown is

over.

>

> REPORTABILITY

> Viral encephalitis and arboviral diseases are reportable to MDH; reports

> need to include demographic, clinical, and laboratory information. Please

> contact MDH tick-borne disease epidemiology staff at for

> associated forms.

>

> More information / guidelines

> MDH: Tick-borne disease epidemiology or

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)

>

June 30, 2011

Jan,

Being from Chicago, I pretty much freaked out at ticks and leeches in N

MN. Though after living in N MN between Duluth and International Falls

for 14 years, I have had many ticks, leeches, mosquito and no-see-um

bites. However this was before Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus.

I would recommend a bug repellent with the most amount of DEET, long

sleeved shirts, long pants fitted at the ankle, socks, covered shoes and

hat to protect you from the sun. There is also a mosquito repellent

spray for your clothes which lasts up to 6 weeks that I used when

visiting Venezuela to prevent typhoid and yellow fever. See

http://www.rei.com/product/768970/sawyer-permethrin-pump-spray-24-oz .

Current recommendations are to spray bug repellent on your clothes

rather than your skin, but if you have exposed skin, use bug repellent

especially in the evenings.

Avon makes Skin So Soft bug repellent that didn't seem to work as well

as most bug repellents with DEET, but felt more like baby oil on your

skin and some also have sunscreen added. See

http://shop.avon.com/shop/search.aspx?department=search & find_spec=bug%20repellen\

t

Off Clip-on seems to work and you don't have to spray it on, but there

are precautions for it's use as well. See

http://www.off.com/ClipOn.aspx?mkwid=s3NY8ix7Z & campaign=Off+Clip+On+-+Brand & grou\

p=OFF! & keyword=off%20bug%20spray & type=Broad & source=google & pcrid=7729278756 & mt=b

Ticks tend to be found on animals especially dogs who roam off leash so

be careful when petting animals and in tall grass. When you remove a

tick, make sure you got the head which can be difficult if the tick is

swollen with blood. See http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html .

Mosquitoes are everywhere in MN, but especially hungry females in the

evenings when the sun is going down or at night. Leeches are found in

lakes and pretty harmless so just pull them off. No-see-ums tend to

appear in early summer (June) and like warm, moist places like behind

your ears and in your hair. Most annoying as they make large, inflamed,

itchy sores that when scratched tend to ooze.

All this is a small price to pay to enjoy N MN. Have fun and enjoy the

10,000 MN lakes.

healthy regards,

Joanne Larsen MS RD LD

>

> Hmmm, I'm visiting in N. Minnesota at the time and a relative that works

> at a VA hospital sent me this! AND, my brother had a typical tick bite

> with

> a typical Lyme Disease " bull's eye " just 10 days ago.

>

> Jan

> (And, if somebody could do something about the swarms of mosquitos, that

> would be nice too! ha)

>

> Subject: FW: Health Alert : Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne

> Powassan Virus (#40647)

>

> FYI~

>

> Health Alert:Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus

>

> Action Step: Please forward this information to clinics and hospitals

> within your jurisdictions.

>

> The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will issue a press release today

> reporting the first known death in Minnesota from Powassan (POW) virus, a

> tick-borne flavivirus that can cause encephalitis or meningitis. A second

> case of encephalitis likely due to POW virus was also reported to date in

> 2011. The press release will emphasize the use of repellents

> containing DEET

> or permethrin to prevent tick bites. It will be available later today at

> www.health.state.mn.us.

>

> MDH urges medical providers to note the following (also available at

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html))

>

> -Powassan (POW) virus, a tick-borne flavivirus related to West Nile

> virus,

> can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Six POW cases were identified in

> Minnesota residents from 2008-2010. In 2011, two cases of encephalitis

> likely

> due to POW virus have been identified to date. One case, a woman in

> her 60s

> from northern Minnesota, died from the infection. The other case, a

> man in

> his 60s from Anoka County, is recovering at home.

>

> -One strain of POW virus is transmitted by blacklegged ticks (also known

> as deer ticks) (Ixodes scapularis), which also carry Lyme disease,

> anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

>

> -POW cases in Minnesota from 2008-2011 were exposed to ticks in a wide

> area of northern Minnesota. MDH has also identified POW-positive ticks

> across

> northern Minnesota and in southeastern Minnesota.

>

> -Medical providers should consider the possibility of POW virus infection

> in patients with central nervous system disease who have recent histories

> of activities in wooded areas (with or without known tick bites) during

> Minnesota's warm weather months.

>

> -The only laboratories that offer testing for POW virus are at state

> health departments (including MDH) and CDC. At this time, no commercial

> laboratories offer serologic testing for the virus.

>

> -Serum or CSF specimens from patients with central nervous system disease

> can be submitted directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for

> arboviral

> disease testing, including POW virus.

>

> -In the event of a Minnesota state government shutdown starting July 1,

> please contact MDH at to speak with an on-call

> epidemiologist

> about timely testing for POW virus on a case-by-case basis. Specimens

> sent

> directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory without prior

> consultation with

> an MDH epidemiologist will likely not be tested until the shutdown is

> over.

>

> REPORTABILITY

> Viral encephalitis and arboviral diseases are reportable to MDH; reports

> need to include demographic, clinical, and laboratory information. Please

> contact MDH tick-borne disease epidemiology staff at for

> associated forms.

>

> More information / guidelines

> MDH: Tick-borne disease epidemiology or

> _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html_

> (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)

>

June 30, 2011

It didn't come up Digna??? What was the opinion?

On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 10:43 AM, Digna Cassens <dignacassens@...

> wrote:

> **

>

> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/health/personal-care/off-clipon

> -mosquito-repellent

>

> Check this out.

> Digna

>

> FW: Health Alert : Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne

> > Powassan Virus (#40647)

> >

> > FYI~

> >

> > Health Alert:Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus

> >

> > Action Step: Please forward this information to clinics and hospitals

> > within your jurisdictions.

> >

> > The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will issue a press release today

> > reporting the first known death in Minnesota from Powassan (POW) virus, a

> > tick-borne flavivirus that can cause encephalitis or meningitis. A second

> > case of encephalitis likely due to POW virus was also reported to date in

> > 2011. The press release will emphasize the use of repellents containing

> > DEET

> > or permethrin to prevent tick bites. It will be available later today at

> > www.health.state.mn.us.

> >

> > MDH urges medical providers to note the following (also available at

> > _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)_

> > (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html))

> >

> > -Powassan (POW) virus, a tick-borne flavivirus related to West Nile

> virus,

> > can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Six POW cases were identified in

> > Minnesota residents from 2008-2010. In 2011, two cases of encephalitis

> > likely

> > due to POW virus have been identified to date. One case, a woman in her

> 60s

> >

> > from northern Minnesota, died from the infection. The other case, a man

> in

> > his 60s from Anoka County, is recovering at home.

> >

> > -One strain of POW virus is transmitted by blacklegged ticks (also known

> > as deer ticks) (Ixodes scapularis), which also carry Lyme disease,

> > anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

> >

> > -POW cases in Minnesota from 2008-2011 were exposed to ticks in a wide

> > area of northern Minnesota. MDH has also identified POW-positive ticks

> > across

> > northern Minnesota and in southeastern Minnesota.

> >

> > -Medical providers should consider the possibility of POW virus infection

> > in patients with central nervous system disease who have recent histories

> > of activities in wooded areas (with or without known tick bites) during

> > Minnesota's warm weather months.

> >

> > -The only laboratories that offer testing for POW virus are at state

> > health departments (including MDH) and CDC. At this time, no commercial

> > laboratories offer serologic testing for the virus.

> >

> > -Serum or CSF specimens from patients with central nervous system disease

> > can be submitted directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for

> arboviral

> >

> > disease testing, including POW virus.

> >

> > -In the event of a Minnesota state government shutdown starting July 1,

> > please contact MDH at to speak with an on-call

> epidemiologist

> >

> > about timely testing for POW virus on a case-by-case basis. Specimens

> sent

> > directly to the MDH Public Health Laboratory without prior consultation

> > with

> > an MDH epidemiologist will likely not be tested until the shutdown is

> over.

> >

> > REPORTABILITY

> > Viral encephalitis and arboviral diseases are reportable to MDH; reports

> > need to include demographic, clinical, and laboratory information. Please

> > contact MDH tick-borne disease epidemiology staff at for

> > associated forms.

> >

> > More information / guidelines

> > MDH: Tick-borne disease epidemiology or

> > _http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html_

> > (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/hcp.html)

> >

June 30, 2011

I'm so lucky then. Being from Puerto Rico and having lived in Florida &

Louisiana during under-grad and internship, I got used to all types and

sizes of bugs. For some reason they're not attracted to me, so I'm really

doubly lucky as they don't sting or bite me. Even bees just buzz around my

hands when I'm working in the pond and fly away. I use no repellents and my

husband thinks my blood is poisoned.

Digna

From: rd-usa [mailto:rd-usa ] On Behalf Of

Joanne Larsen

Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 10:48 AM

To: rd-usa

Cc: Dineright4@...; LEAP_RDs

Subject: Re: Re: FW: Health Alert : Minnesota Records First Death

from Tick-Borne Powassan...