A Rare Case of Powassan Virus Affects a Massachusetts Newborn
Infant Battles for Survival Following Tick Bite during Family Stroll, Claims Mother
A rare and potentially fatal tick-borne disease, Powassan virus, has recently impacted a newborn named Lily Sisco from Massachusetts. The young infant was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, experiencing severe symptoms such as high fever and seizures [1].
Preliminary tests indicate that Lily Sisco may have contracted the Powassan virus [1]. This disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, primarily deer ticks, and it can infect a person within 15 minutes of a bite [2].
As the case of Lily Sisco illustrates, Powassan virus can cause severe health complications. In severe cases, patients may suffer from encephalitis (brain swelling), as is the case with Lily, leading to inflammation and scarring in the brain [3].
The Powassan virus is a growing concern, particularly in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions of the United States. While specific data on Powassan virus transmission among newborns in Massachusetts is not readily available, the state is part of the region where most U.S. cases occur [2].
Given the lack of vaccines or specific treatments for Powassan virus, prevention is key. To minimize the risk of tick bites, experts recommend taking the following precautions:
- Avoid Tick Habitats: Stay away from wooded, bushy, or grassy areas where ticks are common.
- Use Protective Clothing: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
- Repellents: Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Regular Tick Checks: Frequently check for ticks on children and pets after spending time outdoors.
- Remove Attached Ticks: Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove attached ticks promptly and correctly [2][3].
For newborns, who cannot apply these measures themselves, parents should take extra precautions by ensuring their outdoor gear is treated with tick repellents and by keeping them in strollers or carriers while outdoors to minimize direct contact with potentially tick-infested areas.
It is crucial to check oneself, children, and pets for ticks after being outside in an area where ticks might be present. In the case of Lily Sisco, a tick "the size of a needle tip" was found on her after a family walk on a West Tisbury bike path [4].
As of the article's publication, there have been 24 cases of Powassan virus this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [5]. In 2024, there were 57 cases of Powassan virus nationwide [5]. However, it is essential to note that the disease is still relatively rare, with only about 10% of cases proving fatal [2].
Survivors of Powassan virus may suffer from long-term health issues, making it crucial to take preventative measures seriously. As the case of Lily Sisco demonstrates, the consequences of a Powassan virus infection can be severe, underscoring the importance of staying informed and taking precautions to protect oneself and one's family.
[1] https://www.massgeneral.org/about/in-the-news/20220616-powassan-virus-infection-treatment-at-mass-general.aspx [2] https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/index.html [3] https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/prevention/index.html [4] https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2022/06/23/tick-found-west-tisbury-bike-path-potentially-carried-powassan-virus/ [5] https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/data/cases.html
- Given the recent case of Powassan virus affecting baby Lily Sisco in Massachusetts, it is essential to emphasize the importance of medical-conditions prevention, particularly during outdoor activities which may expose individuals to the tick habitats that carry the virus.
- Science has yet to develop a vaccine or specific treatment for chronic-diseases like Powassan virus, making it crucial for health-and-wellness advocates to encourage awareness and fitness-and-exercise practices that minimize tick encounters.
- While those living in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions are at higher risk for contracting Powassan virus, every region should prioritize mental-health and neurological-disorders awareness since survivors of Powassan virus often face long-term health complications.
- The ongoing threat of Powassan virus, especially for newborns like Lily Sisco, underscores the relevance of environmental-science in understanding the habitats and lifecycles of disease-carrying ticks, crucial information that can inform health policies and community guidelines to ensure a safer future for all.
