United States: Lyme disease and red meat allergies from ticks represent the current threats in Minnesota, while the Powassan virus spreads through these blood-sucking pests.
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According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) epidemiologist supervisor Elizabeth Schiffman, the Powassan virus stands among the most threatening diseases compared to other tick-borne illnesses in Minnesota.
The Powassan virus spreads through black-legged ticks, also referred to as deer ticks, which cause neurological problems that can occasionally prove fatal to victims.
Records maintained by MDH since 2008 indicate that 14 reported cases of Powassan virus last year represented the most cases ever documented in Minnesota.
A 60-year-old woman died from Powassan virus brain infection, which became the first recorded fatal case in Minnesota in 2011.
As tick season starts, another transmittable illness looms: Powassan virus https://t.co/BdgrtSzZT4
— The Minnesota Star Tribune (@StarTribune) April 21, 2025
According to Schiffman, “The risks are relatively low. However, all the tick prevention that you would do to keep yourself from getting one of those more common diseases will also help keep you safe from getting Powassan,” startribune.com reported.
About Powassan virus infection
Powassan virus infection often leads to undisclosed symptoms or mild signs that develop in affected patients, according to health experts.
The symptoms of Powassan virus infection include high temperature (fever), headache alongside nausea, and muscular weakness. People who suffer from advanced virus infections experience seizures, and their brains, along with the surrounding membranes, expand through swelling.
Severe effects of the Powassan virus mainly occur in elderly patients alongside those with a compromised immune system.
Minnesota health records indicate that 11 cases of Powassan virus appeared in 2011, which is the only occurrence of more than 5 reported cases during the 2008-2015 period.
Recorded Powassan virus cases rose from five to eight each year until 2018, which brought a three-case year.
The MDH records do not provide information about Powassan virus occurrences for the year 2020, startribune.com reported.
Powassan virus prevalence in Minnesota has motivated the NIH to provide funds totaling USD 3.5 million to University of Minnesota associate professor Matthew Aliota so he can research the virus through 2024.
Through the five-year grant, Aliota investigates virus activity across two prominent national regions, Minnesota and New York.