Officials say two people in
Fairfield County have tested positive for the potentially deadly Powassan virus
- which is carried by ticks.
Experts say if
you're going to be out in the thick of the woods, it's a good idea to stay
covered up. They say it only takes one bite from the tick to contract the
virus.
It takes one week
to a month to get Powassan virus after the bite gets infected, and it
can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes
after the bite.
The Powassan virus associated illness has been reported
from early spring until late fall. Doctors say there is no cure or vaccine for
it.
There have been
several cases reported over the last several years in the
state - with two being deadly.
Earlier this month,
Sen. Richard Blumenthal pushed for more federal funding to prevent tick-borne
diseases.