Maine Resident Dies from Powassan Virus

A York County resident has died from the tick-borne Powassan virus, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday.

Photo Credit: CDC

Photo Credit: CDC
A York County resident has died from the tick-borne Powassan virus, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday.

According to  WMTW, this was the first deadly case of the infection in Maine this year; in two other Maine cases this year both people recovered. The news outlet also noted that this was the first deadly case of Powassan virus since May 2023.

As pest management professionals know, Powassan virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Although still rare, the number of reported cases of people sick from Powassan virus has increased in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Most cases in the United States occur in the northeast and Great Lakes regions from late spring through mid-fall when ticks are most active.