Chuck Schumer Goes After Emerging Deadly Virus
“Now, with the emerging threat of new tick-borne illnesses like Powassan virus and antibiotic-resistant strains of Lyme, the need for more research is clear and compelling. We need to bring Lyme disease and the Powassan virus out of the weeds and better educate the public about how to keep themselves and their families safe.”
http://nypress.com/schumer-warns-beware-of-ticks-in-central-park/
Clip from a press release from his site:
On the heels of the discovery of Powassan Encephalitis, an often fatal tick-borne illness, in the Capital Region, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to immediately allocate resources towards the study, prevention and treatment of the emerging Powassan virus threat. Schumer also announced his support for federal legislation to direct more resources and attention towards fighting back against the growing problem of other tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, Babesiosis and more.
This May, the first local case of Powassan virus was found in Saratoga County, and researchers have also recently found the virus in a significant number of ticks in the Hudson Valley. The Powassan virus causes debilitating symptoms similar to Lyme disease, but it is much more dangerous: it can transmit much more quickly than Lyme disease, there is currently no treatment for Powassan virus, and it is much more lethal – killing 30% of those affected statewide since 2004. In addition to his push for the CDC to focus on this little-known threat, The Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act would help combat the new and growing epidemic by improving and expanding the federal government’s efforts to contain the spread of these and other tick-borne illnesses. The bill would expand research into Lyme disease, improve education of the public, and require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to produce a report to educate doctors and other health professionals on the latest research and treatment options for the disease. Schumer explained that research from the CDC and development of a specific plan to help address this new virus, and other tick-borne diseases is a crucial complement to his legislation, and will help inform the treatment and prevention research funded by his bill.
http://www.schumer.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=345507&
= new reply since forum marked as read
I vaguely remember hearing about this virus ealier this summer. A bunch of us canceled our camping trip because of it.
