SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An Illinois resident has become seriously ill with the tickborne illness Powassan, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Monday. The illness had not previously been detected in the state.

According to IDPH, officials are working to determine if the individual was bitten by the infected tick in Illinois or elsewhere. The department will also conduct active tick surveillance, which includes dragging and testing ticks for Powassan and other diseases, in areas where the individual spent time before they were sickened.

Melanie-Antonitis

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