So far this virus has been found in lone star ticks in 3 state parks in Florida, after over approximately 60 years of being thought to be extinct and never known to be in USA before.
Up to 25% of the ticks collected were infected.
If you watch the "Last Ship" - a TV series- it is similar (symptoms) to the virus portrayed in that show.
This whole idea could be upsetting to some people, so consider that before reading the article.
I cant help but think someone is giving mother nature a hand with this
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sheesh.. scary.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Has anyone gotten sick? Died?
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
kayak,
In the USA, I don't know. I worry about people on blood thinners- lots in Florida I would imagine since about 80% are senior citizens. I would think this disease could be chalked up to too many blood thinners and an unknown viral infection if symptoms appeared, especially in the elderly.
Can't imagine with up to 25% of the ticks infected no one has gotten it?
One interesting thing- another actually- is that the strains they said would be really varied- different ones- the closer to "ground zero" they were to the source of the infection.
But, in this case the strain they found wasn't real diversified, meaning the source could be a long ways away.
Miles, hundreds of miles??? These parks are at least 60 miles apart, and some further than that. Could it be in Georgia or Texas? Or even more spread out?
From what I read folks in the foreign countries that got the virus- all but one of them died.
I don't see many diseases that can make some people more miserable than chronic Lyme disease can, but this tick virus would be on that list, for sure.
What is also concerning is that this article was published - I can't see it right now- but a couple of years ago? I do a lot of research and haven't seen anything else about it before this and I just stumbled on this info while looking for something else.
Where is the health department? Why aren't they warning people?
Posted by Edessajarrue (Member # 35310) on :
Published in 2014 - One lab technition was apparently infected. They didn't die apparently. 2nd paragraph under title: Introduction
This is so scary! Of course even ticks enjoy a good vacation in a park, however, they tend to enjoy traveling. Wonder if they will enjoy Minnesota someday?
I used to enjoy a lovely forest. Since I became infected, I am terrified of them. And my former counselor thinks it's unreasonable I don't want to be outdoors. Heh