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Powassan

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Maine records fourth Powassan case in 2026, underscoring tick-borne threat
health9 days ago

Maine records fourth Powassan case in 2026, underscoring tick-borne threat

Maine’s CDC confirms a fourth Powassan virus case in 2026, the second in Penobscot County (with additional cases in Lincoln and York counties), highlighting the state’s ongoing tick-borne illness risk. Powassan is a rare but potentially deadly brain infection transmitted quickly by deer ticks, with about 10% of severe cases resulting in death. Maine has seen multiple cases and deaths since 2015, including a 2024 fatality, while nationwide cases typically total 20–50 annually (2018–2023).

via WMTW|
#health#infectious-disease#maine
Rhode Island reports second Powassan case in 2026, health officials urge tick prevention
health22 days ago

Rhode Island reports second Powassan case in 2026, health officials urge tick prevention

Rhode Island health officials announced a Newport County man in his 70s has Powassan virus disease, marking the state’s second case in 2026 and tenth overall. Powassan is a rare tick-borne illness whose initial symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness and can progress to meningoencephalitis. There is no vaccine or targeted treatment. To reduce risk, residents should avoid wooded or tall-grass areas, wear long sleeves and pants, use EPA-approved DEET, and perform tick checks with prompt removal.

via WJAR|
#health#meningoencephalitis#powassan
Maine records third Powassan case of the year as tick-borne threat persists
health1 month ago

Maine records third Powassan case of the year as tick-borne threat persists

A Maine adult in Lincoln County tested positive for Powassan virus, the third confirmed case in Maine this year, while a Cumberland County wild bird tested positive for West Nile virus—the state's first this year. Powassan is a rare but potentially deadly tick-borne brain infection that can transmit quickly after a bite; about 10% of severe cases die, and researchers are studying how ticks survive Maine winters.

via WMTW|
#health#maine#powassan
Powassan Virus Surges to Record U.S. Cases, Spreading Fast After Tick Bites
health2 months ago

Powassan Virus Surges to Record U.S. Cases, Spreading Fast After Tick Bites

A rare tick-borne virus called Powassan has reached a record number of U.S. cases (76 in 2025). The virus can be transmitted by ticks in as little as 15 minutes, can progress to severe neurological illness, and there are no vaccines or specific treatments—only supportive care. Most at risk are children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, making prevention through tick avoidance essential.

via New York Post|
#health#neurological-complications#powassan
Maine logs first Powassan case of the year, signaling tick-borne disease concerns
local2 months ago

Maine logs first Powassan case of the year, signaling tick-borne disease concerns

For the first time this year, a person in Maine has tested positive for Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness transmitted by deer ticks in Penobscot County. The Maine CDC notes there are no vaccines or medicines to prevent Powassan, and severe disease can occur (encephalitis or meningitis) with about 10% mortality among those with severe illness and many survivors facing long-term health problems. Maine has reported 41 Powassan cases since 2000.

via WGME|
#cdc#local#maine
Powassan Tick Risk Grows in Minnesota’s Gull Lake Region
health2 months ago

Powassan Tick Risk Grows in Minnesota’s Gull Lake Region

Powassan virus, carried by deer ticks, poses a deadly but rare risk in north‑central Minnesota, with Gull Lake highlighted as a high‑risk area as tick season peaks in late spring and early summer. Diagnostics can be tricky and the virus can cause severe neurological damage; there is no treatment. Prevention measures—such as wearing long clothing, using effective repellents, and applying permethrin—are emphasized, especially given historical and recent case data showing variability in Powassan incidence across the region.

via Pioneer Press|
#gull-lake#health#minnesota
Powassan Virus Threat Grows in Minnesota’s Gull Lake Area
health2 months ago

Powassan Virus Threat Grows in Minnesota’s Gull Lake Area

North-Central Minnesota is seeing rising tick activity linked to Powassan virus, a rare but potentially deadly brain infection with no specific treatment. The Gull Lake region has longstanding tick-borne risk, and health officials note Powassan is present in a small percentage of deer ticks, with diagnostics often challenging. Minnesota’s cases have fluctuated, peaking in 2024, and a 2023 case near Gull Lake resulted in death, underscoring the seriousness. Preventive measures are emphasized: wear long clothing, use EPA-registered repellents (including permethrin-treated gear), and thoroughly check for ticks (including tiny nymphs) after outdoor activities, especially from late May to mid-July. Families like the Johannsens are raising awareness and taking steps to protect their property and neighbors.)

via Duluth News Tribune|
#gull-lake#health#minnesota
Nonverbal After Tick Bite Highlights Rising Powassan Threat
health2 months ago

Nonverbal After Tick Bite Highlights Rising Powassan Threat

A New Hampshire man, 66, is hospitalized in Boston after contracting Powassan virus from a tick bite, leaving him nonverbal as doctors treat potential brain inflammation. Powassan is rarer than Lyme but can be severe, with no cure or vaccine; treatment is supportive, and some cases require hospitalization. Ticks can transmit the virus in as little as 15 minutes, and prevention—using repellent, wearing protective clothing, and checking for ticks—is crucial as cases rise with climate-related tick expansion.

via New York Post|
#brain-inflammation#cdc#health