SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is investigating a recent tick-borne illness exposure.

According to IDPH, an Illinois resident became seriously ill with Powassan, a virus from a tick bite. The virus had not previously been detected in this state, so health officials are working to learn whether the resident was exposed to the illness through a tick bite in Illinois or in a different state.

IDPH will be conducting active tick surveillance, testing ticks for Powassan and other infections, in areas of Illinois where the resident spent time before they contracted the illness.

You can “Fight the Bite” by checking yourself, pets and children for ticks after spending time in or near wooded areas, tall grass and brush.

IDPH says removing ticks within

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