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Ticks Bring New Danger To Capital Region

WAMC photo by Dave Lucas

Ticks transmit the widest variety of pathogens, and as these tiny creatures proliferate across the country, they are spreading diseases you — and your doctor — probably never heard of. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer was in Albany today at Six Mile Waterworks to call attention to a new and deadly tick-borne illness.

Recent reports suggest "The Powassan Virus" has spread from the Hudson Valley into the Capital Region, and currently there is NO treatment for it. A person in Saratoga County tested positive, and some ticks collected locally have also tested positive for Powassan, which can be fatal.

U.S. Senator Schumer, a New York Democrat, is sounding the alarm, explaining doctors can only address the symptoms, and that it takes just 15 minutes for Powassan to enter the bloodstream after a tick bite.

Albany County Health Commissioner James Crucetti notes tickborne illnesses have been a public health problem for years.   Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings emphasizes the tick problem has health care officials gravely concerned. He has held discussions with medical professionals and the Health Department.

Senator Schumer dashed off a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asking the agency to immediately allocate resources toward the study, prevention and treatment of the Powassan virus threat. He is also supporting legislation called the Lime and Tick Borne Disease Prevention Education and Research Act, which sets a policy of public and physician education.

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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