Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
Powassan Virus Disease Information for Health Professionals
Powassan virus is a tickborne flavivirus, that includes a strain (lineage II or "deer tick virus") that is transmitted by blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). The virus can cause encephalitis or meningitis, and long-term sequelae occur in approximately 50% of patients. Approximately 10-15% of cases are fatal.
On this page:
Clinical Presentation/Diagnosis
Reporting
Treatment
Guidelines
Clinical Presentation/Diagnosis
- Medical providers should consider Powassan virus disease in patients with encephalitis or meningitis of probable unknown etiology that occurs during the tickborne disease transmission season (May to October).
- Signs and symptoms of Powassan encephalitis or meningitis may include:
- fever
- headache
- vomiting
- weakness
- confusion
- loss of coordination
- speech difficulties
- memory loss
- Long-term sequelae are common, and the case-fatality rate in reported cases is approximately 10%.
Treatment
- There is no specific treatment available for Powassan virus disease.
- Care for patients is typically supportive and may include intravenous fluids and respiratory support.
Reporting
- Reporting Arboviral Disease
Minnesota Rules Governing Communicable Diseases require health care providers to report confirmed or suspected cases of Powassan virus disease to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) within 1 working day.
MDH staff also are available to provide clinical consultation regarding testing and diagnosis of Powassan virus disease and other tickborne diseases. Call 651-201-5414 for a clinical consultation.
Guidelines
- CDC: Tickborne Diseases of the United States: A Reference Manual for Health Care Providers
CDC Handbook, designed as a way for health care providers to access information on tickborne diseases and tick identification.
Last Updated: 09/04/2024