Tickborne Powassan virus infections among Wisconsin residents.

Authors:
Address: Bureau of Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response, Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Madison, WI 53701-2659, USA. diep.hoangjohnson@wi.gov
Journal:

Publication:

abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Powassan virus (POWV) is a Tickborne Flavivirus that causes a rare but potentially life-threatening illness. The first reported case of POWV infection in a Wisconsin resident occurred in 2003. Enhanced surveillance and testing detected 2 additional cases.

METHODS:

Patient specimens with a positive or equivocal immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody to an arbovirus were sent from commercial laboratories to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing. Patients with laboratory confirmed POWV infections were interviewed to obtain demographic, clinical, and epidemiologic information.

RESULTS:

POWV infections were confirmed in 3 adult Wisconsin residents in 2003, 2006, and 2007; illness onsets occurred during May and June. Two patients were hospitalized and all survived. One patient had a dual infection with POWV and Anaplasma phaghocytophilum. Specimens from all 3 patients were initially reported as positive for IgM antibody to either St Louis encephalitis or California serogroup viruses; POWV-specific antibody was detected during confirmatory testing at the CDC. Each patient had exposures to known or likely tick habitats in different counties within 30 days before illness onset.

CONCLUSIONS:

These are the first diagnosed human POWV infections in Wisconsin. Because all 3 patients were initially identified as having other arboviral infections using commercial screening kits, routine confirmatory testing is essential for proper diagnosis of most arboviral infections. Wisconsin residents should be educated regarding risks of acquiring and ways to prevent POWV infection and other tickborne diseases when spending time outdoors.

Related Articles
Increased recognition of Powassan encephalitis in the United States, 1999-2005.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2008
Increased recognition of Powassan encephalitis in the United States, 1999-2005.
Hinten SR, Beckett GA, Gensheimer KF, Pritchard E, Courtney TM, Sears SD, Woytowicz JM, Preston DG, Smith RP Jr, Rand PW, et al. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2008 Dec; 8(6):733-40.
Tick-borne encephalitis among U.S. travelers to Europe and Asia - 2000-2009.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010
Tick-borne encephalitis among U.S. travelers to Europe and Asia - 2000-2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010 Mar 26; 59(11):335-8.
Outbreak of Powassan encephalitis--Maine and Vermont, 1999-2001.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2001
Outbreak of Powassan encephalitis--Maine and Vermont, 1999-2001.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2001 Sep 7; 50(35):761-4.
Review Clinical diagnosis and treatment of human granulocytotropic anaplasmosis.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006
Review Clinical diagnosis and treatment of human granulocytotropic anaplasmosis.
Bakken JS, Dumler JS. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Oct; 1078:236-47.
Review Tick-borne encephalitis.
Antiviral Res. 2003
Review Tick-borne encephalitis.
Gritsun TS, Lashkevich VA, Gould EA. Antiviral Res. 2003 Jan; 57(1-2):129-46.

To top • Home

TraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

The contents within traveldoctoronline are presented only for informational purposes and cannot substitute for professional health care or any other medical treatment.All users of this website with health problems should be oblige always to consult their medical doctor before starting any treatment.