Lyme disease is the best -nown illness spread by ticks in Michigan, and it's also the most common.
But there is growing concern in the Northeast and the Great Lakes regions about a much more rare disease called Powassan virus. It can be transmitted by an infected black-legged tick -- the same tick that can carry Lyme disease.
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"It's been found in Minnesota, in Wisconsin and in the Northeast, so anywhere that this tick has been," said Dr. Jean Tsao, a researcher and associate professor at Michigan State University.
Powassan virus was first discovered in Ontario in 1958. It's named for the town where it was first identified.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 75 cases of Powassan virus were reported in the United States over the past 10 years.
"Unlike Lyme disease, Powassan virus doesn't have this bull's-eye rash that's often associated with it. So there are no other signs that might give you some warning," Tsao said.
The most common symptoms of Powassan virus are fever, headache and sometimes muscle aches or a small rash.
Powassan is fatal in about 15 percent of cases, and of the survivors, about half will have long-term neurological problems.
While a tick has to be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease, Powassan virus can be transferred in just 15 minutes.
Tsao and other experts say it's possible for Powassan virus to pop up in Michigan.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we were to see cases of it, but I would predict that our cases of Powassan, our first cases, it would be most likely they would occur again in the Upper Peninsula or over in the western side of Michigan where the tick population is higher," Tsao said.
The best way to protect yourself from any tick-borne illness is to prevent tick bites. That means wearing tick repellent and checking yourself and your family for ticks.
To learn more about Powassan virus, click here.