The laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed on Thursday that the first case of the Powassan Virus (POW) has been detected in Columbiana County.

A Lisbon resident was suspected to have the virus and has been hospitalized since being admitted to Akron Children's Hospital in October. 

Health care providers along with local health departments and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) have worked in partnership to confirm the diagnosis.

POW is a tickborne illness that cannot be directly transmitted from person to person. In Ohio, the virus may be transmitted to people most commonly by the black legged tick.

Symptoms range from asymptomatic to life-threatening neurological disorders. These symptoms could include headache, fever, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, seizures and death.

Illness onset from the time of the tick bite can range from one week to one month. There is currently no approved treatment or vaccine for POW.

According to the CDC, approximately 100 cases of POW were reported in the U.S. during the past 10 years.

ODH's Zoonotic Disease Program plans to conduct surveillance in Columbiana County for ticks carrying the virus during the coming weeks.

The Columbiana County Health District has offered guidelines on how residents can avoid POW and other tick borne illnesses:

-Walk in the middle of trails to avoid tall grass, brush and leaf litter.

-Use EPA registered repellents labeled for use against ticks on skin 

-Treat clothing and gear such as pants, boots, socks and tents with a product containing permethrin or wear permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

-Wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks. Tuck your pant legs into your socks.

-Wear light colors to make it easier to see ticks.