Chicago Sun Times Health experts are still investigating whether the Illinois resident got the Powassan virus in the state, but in the meantime, Illinoisans are advised to check for ticks after coming from outdoors and avoid wooded, bushy areas. An Illinois resident became “seriously ill” after being infected with Powassan, a tick-borne illness that has never been detected in the state before, the state health department said.
Health officials are investigating whether the person caught the virus in Illinois and are testing ticks for Powassan and other infections in areas of the state where the resident had been before their illness.