Rare tick-borne virus turns deadly fast as US cases reach record high
A rare and deadly tick-borne virus has reached a record-high number of cases in the United States, with experts warning that it can turn fatal quickly. Health officials are urging increased awareness and preventive measures against tick bites as the virus spreads.
Background
- **Powassan virus** is a rare but severe tick-borne disease transmitted by the deer tick (same tick that spreads Lyme disease). Unlike Lyme, which often takes 24–48 hours of tick attachment to transmit, Powassan can be passed in under 15 minutes.
- Cases in the U.S. have hit a record high (though still very rare — typically a few dozen per year). The virus can cause encephalitis (brain swelling) and is fatal in about 10–15% of cases; many survivors suffer long-term neurological damage.
- No specific treatment or vaccine exists — care is only supportive (hospitalization, breathing support, etc.). The rising case count is linked to tick range expansion driven by climate change and increased human exposure.
- The article reports on new CDC data and expert warnings urging awareness, especially in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions where the tick is established.