U.S. Powassan Cases Climb to 76 in 2025 as Deer Ticks Spread Deadly Virus
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 28
U.S. Powassan Cases Climb to 76 in 2025 as Deer Ticks Spread Deadly Virus
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 28
Summary
Powassan virus infections in the United States rose sharply to 76 cases in 2025 from 7 in 2015, drawing attention to a rare tick-borne disease that can be life-altering or fatal.
Deer ticks—the same species best known for spreading Lyme disease—also carry Powassan virus, giving people a second, potentially more dangerous risk from a tick bite.
The virus can trigger severe neurological illness, including Encephalitis and meningitis, and prior reporting put its fatality rate at about 15%.
Warmer temperatures and milder winters are helping ticks stay active longer and boosting host animal populations, widening the conditions for further spread in the U.S.