There is rise of Powassan virus in New Jersey, and New Jersey officials have alerted the residents of state, as warmer temperatures and melting snow will release the bacteria spreading ticks.

Two years ago a Warrren County woman died because of the tick borne illness.

Heavy snow will act as the blanket to the tick spreading bacteria from the cold and as the spring has arrived and snow is melting these bacteria will be unleashed and leading to increase in the tick population.

There is a shift in the reach of the virus, previously the cases occurred in the Northeast and Great Lake regions but now the virus is in Northwest New Jersey.

In 2013, the first case of rare tick borne disease had killed Warren County women. She has showed the symptoms of the Powassan virus including rash, headache and fever.

The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the Lyme disease which is also acquired by tick-bites.

Powassan virus is similar to Lyme disease but it is more dangerous than Lyme disease and its effects could be permanent is severe cases.

There is no treatment for Powassan disease.

The person bitten by tick can undergo seizures, confusion and also have neurological deficit such as encephalitis.

The virus can be transmitted within an hour after a tick bite and the host carrying the virus does not need to be attached to the person for a very long time.

60 cases have been reported in the past 10 years, and it is very rare disease.

Powasssan virus is very active in summer, spring and mid-fall.

During these seasons, people are advised to take precautions like wearing long pants, using repellant, not going to tick infested areas, check for tick bites at home after spending a long day outside the house.

Powassan cases are very rare, but the host carrying the virus is on rise.