A Massachusetts mother has identified her newborn daughter as the possible case of possible case of Powassan virus under investigation by health officials on Martha’s Vineyard. Health officials did not disclose where on the island the patient lives, their age or when they were infected. The virus has not been confirmed. The woman said her daughter had seizures is receiving intensive care, including antibiotics, in Boston.Aside from the pending investigation, there has only been one case of Powassan virus on the island in the past 20 years. Three cases elsewhere in the state have been confirmed this year, officials said.Powassan is a rare but potentially serious virus transmitted by the bite of infected Ixodes scapularis ticks — commonly known as deer ticks. Unlike other tick-borne pathogens, Powassan virus can be transmitted within 15 minutes of a tick bite. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2004 to 2024, there were 397 Powassan cases nationally with 50 deaths, with almost half of those infections occurring in the last five years.Massachusetts ranks second behind Minnesota in total number of cases in that same time frame with 71, according to the CDC.So far in 2025, there have been 24 cases in seven states with three of those recorded in Massachusetts, according to the CDC.There is no specific treatment, vaccine or cure for Powassan virus disease. Severe cases can cause brain swelling, encephalitis, confusion, seizures and long-term neurological complications.”The virus is present every year in a small percentage of deer ticks; fortunately, severe disease remains very rare,” said Dr. Sam Telford, a Tufts University professor with longstanding research on Martha’s Vineyard. Telford’s lab has tested more than 3,500 nymph deer ticks between 2021 and 2024. “Between 1 and 2% of nymph deer ticks on Martha’s Vineyard are infected. This is a similar rate to that seen elsewhere in New England. This suggests that many people who are exposed may successfully fight off the virus without ever knowing they were infected,” Telford said.Top tips to prevent tick bites: Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin Dress “tick-smart” — tuck pants into socks, shirts into pants, wear light-colored clothes to spot ticks more easily. Leggings and snug-fitting clothing can prevent ticks from reaching the skin. Lint roller your clothing after coming in from the outdoors to remove “hitchhikers.” Change clothes or shower soon after being outside. Put clothes in the dryer on high for 20 minutes to kill ticks. Do full-body tick checks with a mirror
A Massachusetts mother has identified her newborn daughter as the possible case of possible case of Powassan virus under investigation by health officials on Martha’s Vineyard.
Health officials did not disclose where on the island the patient lives, their age or when they were infected. The virus has not been confirmed.
The woman said her daughter had seizures is receiving intensive care, including antibiotics, in Boston.
Aside from the pending investigation, there has only been one case of Powassan virus on the island in the past 20 years. Three cases elsewhere in the state have been confirmed this year, officials said.
Powassan is a rare but potentially serious virus transmitted by the bite of infected Ixodes scapularis ticks — commonly known as deer ticks. Unlike other tick-borne pathogens, Powassan virus can be transmitted within 15 minutes of a tick bite.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2004 to 2024, there were 397 Powassan cases nationally with 50 deaths, with almost half of those infections occurring in the last five years.
Massachusetts ranks second behind Minnesota in total number of cases in that same time frame with 71, according to the CDC.
So far in 2025, there have been 24 cases in seven states with three of those recorded in Massachusetts, according to the CDC.
There is no specific treatment, vaccine or cure for Powassan virus disease. Severe cases can cause brain swelling, encephalitis, confusion, seizures and long-term neurological complications.
“The virus is present every year in a small percentage of deer ticks; fortunately, severe disease remains very rare,” said Dr. Sam Telford, a Tufts University professor with longstanding research on Martha’s Vineyard.
Telford’s lab has tested more than 3,500 nymph deer ticks between 2021 and 2024.
“Between 1 and 2% of nymph deer ticks on Martha’s Vineyard are infected. This is a similar rate to that seen elsewhere in New England. This suggests that many people who are exposed may successfully fight off the virus without ever knowing they were infected,” Telford said.
Top tips to prevent tick bites:
- Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin
- Dress “tick-smart” — tuck pants into socks, shirts into pants, wear light-colored clothes to spot ticks more easily. Leggings and snug-fitting clothing can prevent ticks from reaching the skin.
- Lint roller your clothing after coming in from the outdoors to remove “hitchhikers.” Change clothes or shower soon after being outside. Put clothes in the dryer on high for 20 minutes to kill ticks. Do full-body tick checks with a mirror
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