Rare, Potentially Fatal Tick-Borne Virus Confirmed In CT

CONNECTICUT — Four Connecticut residents have tested positive for Powassan virus infection, according to the state Department of Public Health.

These are the first cases of POWV associated illness to be identified in Connecticut in this year. Six such cases were reported last year, and two of those infections proved fatal. From 2016 through 2022, a total of 19 POWV cases were reported in Connecticut.

Two men aged 60 years and older, residents of Middlesex County and Litchfield County, became ill during early July. Two women aged 50 years and older, residents of Windham and Litchfield County, became ill during late July. All patients reported a known tick bite and were hospitalized with a central nervous system disease, according to a news release from DPH.

Laboratory tests performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory in Ft. Collins, CO, confirmed the presence of antibodies to POWV for the four residents. They since have been discharged and are recovering, DPH said.

Powassan virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected blacklegged, or deer tick. It takes from one week to one month after the bite of an infected tick to develop symptoms of POWV disease, and the virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the tick first attaches, according to state health officials. Powassan virus associated illness has been reported from early spring until late fall.

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The state's tick population is on the rise. So far this year, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has received 4,616 tick submissions, including 3,089 blacklegged ticks, from state residents directly or through health departments and physicians’ offices, in comparison to 1,889 blacklegged ticks in 2022, according to Goudarz Molaei, the agency's top agricultural scientist.

“The persistent and expanding threat posed by blacklegged ticks, coupled with ongoing range expansion and establishment in new areas of invasive ticks, the Asian long horned tick, the Gulf Coast tick, and the lone star tick, and the confirmation of four Powassan virus disease cases in Connecticut residents, highlights the increasing public health challenges associated with ticks and tick-borne diseases,” said Molaei, who also directs the Connecticut Tick and Tick-borne Pathogen Surveillance Program at CAES.

Powassan Virus Symptoms and Prevention

While most people infected with POWV likely experience no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness, some people will develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system. About one out of 10 cases of severe illness are fatal and approximately half of survivors experience long-term health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Severe cases may begin with fever, vomiting, headache, or weakness and rapidly progress to confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, or seizures. There is no vaccine nor a specific treatment for POWV associated illness. Severe illness is treated by supportive therapy which may include hospitalization, respiratory support, and hydration.

"The identification of four Connecticut residents with Powassan virus-associated illness emphasizes the importance of taking actions to protect yourself from tick bites from now through the late fall," said DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani.

State health officials recommend that people avoid areas where ticks are likely to be, such as grassy or wooded areas. CDC-recommended repellents should be used when outdoors. People should check themselves and their children for tickets immediately after coming indoors. Showering within two hours after coming indoors can be effective in reducing tick-borne illness.