healthnotes O Tick-Borne Powassan Tick ID Card

utdoor military training can pose risks rang- ing from lightning strikes to the spread of disease from ticks and other nasty critters. (See “A Diff er-

ent Kind of Enemy,” page 58.) This summer, it’s not only Lyme disease that has health offi cials worried. Powassan virus has become a concern, especially in the northeast- ern states and the Great Lakes region. Though extremely rare (with fewer than 60 cases of

Powassan virus disease diagnosed in the U.S. over the past 10 years), the virus can penetrate the central ner- vous system, causing Powassan encephalitis, which is associated with long-term illness and has a fatality rate of between 10 and 15 percent, reports the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no vaccine for Powassan virus, nor is there a specifi c treatment for Powassan encephalitis. The virus has been identifi ed in the U.S., Canada, and

Russia and is known to be spread by four species of ticks, with transmission from the black-legged tick, or deer tick, most common. In the U.S., it is most common in the late spring, early summer, and mid-fall. Powassan virus does not leave a telltale mark on the body like the bull’s- eye rash that can indicate Lyme disease. Symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and

weakness typically begin one to two weeks following infection. Protect yourself from tick bites by avoiding wooded and bushy areas with high grass. When out- doors, use an insect repellent containing DEET and treat your clothing and gear with permethrin, advises the CDC. If you fi nd a tick on your body following an outdoor

activity, remove it immediately before it has a chance to attach itself. Regularly inspect your pets so they don’t bring ticks into your home.

— Don Vaughan TRICAREUPDA+E

THE DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY, OFFICE OF PROGRAM INTEGRITY (DHA-PI) alerts TRICARE benefi- ciaries not to provide any personal or health information by phone or in person in response to an unsolicited attempt to provide prescription pain cream or other medications. TRICARE does not cold-call beneficiaries requesting such information. Should you receive such an attempt, provide no information, then notify the Ex- press Scripts Fraud Tip Hotline at (866) 759-6139 or email fraudtip@express-scripts.com. Further informa- tion is available at http://1.usa.gov/1HjL85I.

30,000 U.S. cases of Lyme disease are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year. Up to 300,000 estimated cases likely are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

Black-legged (deer) tick

adult female

adult male

nymph larva

American dog (wood) tick

adult female

adult male

nymph larva

Only 60 cases of Powassan virus disease have been reported in the past 10 years, but the number of cases has increased in recent years.

30 MILITARY OFFICER JULY 2015 Y 2013

INFOGRAPHIC: COLIN HAYES