Deadly virus spread by deer tick kills 1, hospitalizes 2, Wisconsin officials say

Kate Linderman, The Charlotte Observer on Jun 26, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

A deadly virus, transmitted through tick bites, killed one and hospitalized two others as of June, Wisconsin health officials said.

Details about where and how the three individuals contracted Powassan virus in the state were not shared, however the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is recommending health care providers quickly test patients with symptoms of the “rare” disease.

“POWV is rare, but there has been an increase in the number of cases reported in recent years,” officials said in a June 24 email to health care providers in the state. “This increase could be from more people becoming infected with POWV, improvements in testing and diagnosis, or some combination of both.”

Powassan virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged (deer) tick, officials said. The ticks contract the disease when they bite an infected animal, then pass it onto a human as they latch onto them.

As of June 17, seven cases of the virus have been reported nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cases were reported in Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

In 2024, 57 human cases were reported, the most since 2004, according to the CDC.

Infection can present asymptomatically, according to the health department, or through a “non-specific” illness or neurological disease.

“Initial symptoms commonly include fever, headache, vomiting, and generalized weakness. The disease can progress to encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, or aseptic meningitis,” officials said.

The virus can later progress into seizures, speech problems or paralysis, among other symptoms.

Deer ticks spread other diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, health officials said.

Experts with AccuWeather recommend long sleeves in areas where there may be ticks, such as woods or tall grass, and to check your body after spending time outdoors.

--------------