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Powassan virus

Q: What is the Powassan virus, and how can someone prevent getting infected by it?

Krishna: The Powassan Virus is found in North America and in the Russian Far East.

Powassan is a rare tick-borne disease caused by a virus. It can cause swelling in the brain (encephalitis) and in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Only about 166 cases were reported in the U.S. over the last 10 years, with one in ten proving deadly.

Powassan virus is a tickborne flavivirus that is related to some mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus. The virus is named after Powassan, Ontario where it was first discovered in 1958. Two types of Powassan virus have been found in North America till now and include lineage 1 and lineage 2 Powassan viruses.

The transmission of Powassan virus — unlike many other tick-borne microbes — can occur very quickly, as soon as 15 minutes after tick attachment.

Symptoms may include fever, vomiting, muscle weakness, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, speech problems, memory problems, and seizures. When the infection spreads to the central nervous system, meningitis or encephalitis with seizures may occur. When Powassan virus affects the nervous system, it can be fatal (ten percent of patients). Among those who survive neurologic infection, persistent symptoms such as muscle wasting, chronic headaches, and memory problems may occur.

Many people infected with Powassan virus do not have symptoms.
For people with symptoms, the time from tick bite to feeling sick ranges from 1 week to 1 month.
Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness.
Powassan virus can cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Symptoms of severe disease include confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures.
Approximately 1 out of 10 people with severe disease die.
Around half of the people who survive severe disease have long-term health problems such as recurring headaches, loss of muscle mass and strength, and memory problems.

There is no medication to treat Powassan virus infection.
People with severe disease often need to be hospitalized to receive support for breathing, staying hydrated, or reducing swelling in the brain.

Powassan virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. The virus can be transmitted with bites from altogether six known species of ticks. There is no vaccine to prevent Powassan virus infection. Reduce your risk of getting sick by:

Preventing tick bites, preventing ticks on your pets, preventing ticks in your surroundings.

Powassan virus

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