THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS CONFIRMING THE PRESENCE OF A RARE TICK-BORNE VIRUS IN ILLINOIS.
THE HEARTLAND VIRUS FIRST POPPED UP LAST YEAR WHEN A PERSON IN KANKAKEE COUNTY TESTED POSITIVE, AND NOW TICKS FROM THAT AREA APPEAR TO BE CARRYING THE VIRUS. PUBLIC HEALTH’S SAMANTHA DEBOSIK (duh-boe-sick) SAYS IF YOU GET BITTEN BY A TICK…YOU SHOULD WATCH FOR THESE SYMPTOMS.
THOSE INFECTED USUALLY HAVE TO BE HOSPITALIZED BUT MOST FULLY RECOVER. DEBOSIK RECOMMENDS WEARING LIGHT-COLORED LONG CLOTHING WHEN WALKING NEAR TALL GRASSES AND SHRUBS WHERE TICKS LIKE TO HANG OUT. BUG SPRAY IS ALSO A GOOD IDEA.
IT’S TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE BITE OF AN INFECTED LONE STAR TICK.
