It was a cold, wet winter, followed by a quick warm thaw for the Northland. This weather has created the ideal conditions for ticks and mosquitoes to thrive.
The CDC has been tracking the Human Powassan Virus (POW) for the last decade. While it is rare, some of the highest reported number of cases have been from Minnesota & Wisconsin.
While we try to make the most of the precious few months of warm weather the Northland gets each year, the CDC is reminding the public to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid ticks and the nasty diseases they can carry.
I realize that on this Memorial Day weekend many Northlanders will be packing up for the cabin or getting the tents ready to go, and that is fine, just not for me.