ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York health officials are warning state residents that disease-carrying ticks might still be active this fall.

Ticks can remain active until temperatures drop below about 40 degrees. So officials say it's important to take precautions and perform tick checks after being outdoors even as the weather cools down.

Lyme disease-causing bacteria are spread by blacklegged ticks, which are common around the state.

More recently, the state has confirmed several cases of Powassan virus, a tick-borne illness. There has been one confirmed case in Dutchess County and three cases in Saratoga County.

A 74-year-old man died this year in Saratoga County after contracting Powassan virus.