Rare tick-borne virus turns deadly fast as US cases reach record high, experts warn

A uncommon and perchance fatal tick-borne illness presently spreading crossed nan United States tin beryllium traced backmost to a 1958 lawsuit involving a young boy connected a farm.

The disease, known arsenic Powassan virus, was named for nan Ontario municipality adjacent wherever it was first discovered.

At nan clip of his death, Lincoln Byers, a 4-year-old surviving successful Canada, had a information that aesculapian professionals could not explain, nan Boston Globe reported.

DEADLY ‘FOX TAPEWORM’ LINKED TO LETHAL DISEASE DETECTED IN WEST COAST WILDLIFE

Years later, researchers discovered a tick harboring nan aforesaid microorganism connected a dormant squirrel, yet providing an reply to nan tragedy, but foreshadowing a increasing nationalist wellness challenge.

While erstwhile considered an obscure aesculapian anomaly, Powassan microorganism cases person reached historical highs successful nan U.S., information show.

Powassan is astir prevalent from precocious outpouring done mid-fall, erstwhile tick populations highest and outdoor activity increases. (iStock)

According to nan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76 Americans were diagnosed pinch the virus successful 2025, nan highest yearly full connected record. Previously, nan U.S. averaged conscionable 7 to 8 diagnoses each year.

The microorganism is chiefly transmitted to humans done nan wound of an infected woodchuck tick aliases cervid tick. Like different tick-borne illnesses, Powassan is astir prevalent from precocious outpouring done mid-fall, erstwhile tick populations highest and outdoor activity increases.

Public wellness experts pass that nan virus's transmission velocity makes it uniquely dangerous.

TICK BITE ER VISITS HIT HIGHEST SEASONAL LEVEL IN YEARS AS DOCTORS WARN OF DISEASE SURGE

"One of nan astir vulnerable aspects is its accelerated transmission," Dr. Jorge P. Parada, a aesculapian advisor astatine nan National Pest Management Association successful Chicago, told Fox News Digital.

"Powassan tin beryllium transmitted successful arsenic small arsenic 15 minutes aft nan infected tick bites, while Lyme illness usually requires a 36- to 48-hour attachment clip for transmission."

Powassan carries an incubation play of 1 to 4 weeks earlier symptoms manifest. (iStock)

Parada noted that while Powassan remains uncommon compared to Lyme disease, it poses clinical concern.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Dr. Marc Siegel, elder aesculapian expert for Fox News, confirmed that nan microorganism transmits importantly faster than Lyme disease. He noted that Powassan carries an incubation play of 1 to 4 weeks earlier symptoms manifest.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Initial symptoms see fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, though immoderate infected individuals stay asymptomatic, according to nan CDC.

There are presently nary circumstantial medications aliases vaccines to dainty aliases forestall Powassan virus. (iStock)

The microorganism tin advancement to terrible neurological complications, including encephalitis (inflammation of nan brain) and meningitis (inflammation of nan spinal cord membranes).

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

In terrible cases, patients whitethorn acquisition confusion, nonaccomplishment of coordination, trouble speaking and seizures, per nan CDC.

"One of nan astir vulnerable aspects of it is its accelerated transmission."

Approximately 10% of Powassan cases involving terrible neurological disease are fatal, and galore survivors acquisition semipermanent neurological issues.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

There are presently nary circumstantial medications aliases vaccines to dainty aliases forestall Powassan virus; objective attraction is constricted to supportive therapy, specified arsenic intravenous fluids and respiratory support.

While anyone tin create terrible illness, those astatine nan highest consequence see children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals, experts caution.