Bloodsuckers Spreading a New Deadly Virus in the U.S.

Tick Bite

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Now there are several types of thogotoviruses that are known from around the globe, however, this particular strain is new. Also, this is the first thogotovirus that has ever been found in the Western Hemisphere as all other known thogotoviruses have been limited in the past to Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Although this male living in Kansas is, so far, the only known person to have contracted this deadly Bourbon virus, it’s possible that there are, or have been, other infected persons that were not, or have not, yet been identified. As of this writing, the CDC says that there are no lab tests that can determine if someone has become infected, but they are trying to develop one, now that they have isolated the virus.

Tick populations have really boomed in the past 10 years with the increase in the number of white-tail deer and recent reforestation efforts.

Although the standard recommendation for avoiding ticks is to use repellants that contain DEET, but these types of repellants carry another hazard to your health. Up to 25 percent of Natural Park Service Employees report side effects after applying DEET including: numb or burning lips, headaches, nausea, skin rashes, mucous membrane or skin irritation, disorientation, dizziness, and brain fog, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry.

Another study conducted in 2009 with animals showed that DEET interferes with the enzymes that are vital to the central nervous system. In fact, in this study, scientists noted that this chemical seemed to work in the same manner those paralyzing nerve gases that are used in warfare work. This study was performed by the Institute of Development Research in France.

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