John Reagan Rehabs After Powassan Virus Nearly Killed Him, as US Cases Hit Record 76
Updated
Updated · CNN · Sep 12
John Reagan Rehabs After Powassan Virus Nearly Killed Him, as US Cases Hit Record 76
2 articles · Updated · CNN · Sep 12
Summary
66-year-old John Reagan is recovering in a Boston rehabilitation hospital after Powassan virus left him unable to speak, move or open his eyes and forced nearly a month on a ventilator.
A tick bite in early May likely infected him with the rare virus, which can spread in about 15 minutes; his diagnosis came only on June 9 after tests at Massachusetts General and the Mayo Clinic.
Since early July, Reagan has been relearning walking, speech and cognition, though blood clots, pneumonia and new shoulder and back pain delayed plans for him to return home.
76 US Powassan cases were reported in 2025, an all-time high, with 10 deaths; the CDC says fewer than 100 cases are usually diagnosed each year, but about 1 in 10 are fatal.
$150 million over five years is proposed in the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, reflecting concern that tickborne diseases are spreading and that Powassan lacks a specific treatment or vaccine.