Weeks After a Tick Bite, a Rare Virus Strikes
Qwenews.com – Weeks after a tick bite, a New Hampshire retiree became so ill that he could not speak, move or open his eyes. A series of medical tests eventually identified Powassan virus, a rare tickborne infection that can cause severe neurological disease.
John Reagan, a 66-year-old retired pharmacist from Concord, New Hampshire, had embraced outdoor life after retirement. He regularly hunted, fished and walked his adult children’s dogs when he found a tick attached to his skin in early May. He removed it shortly after returning home.
Because Lyme disease is common in the region, Reagan knew to watch for tick-related illness. He believed quick removal had reduced his risk, since Lyme disease generally requires a tick to remain attached for many hours before transmission can occur.
Symptoms Worsened After the Tick Bite
Within weeks after a tick bite, Reagan began experiencing fever, headache, body aches, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue. He sought care at a local emergency department in mid-May, where clinicians did not find a clear cause and sent him home with fluids and nausea medication.
His condition soon became far more serious. His wife worried that he was having a stroke when he lost the ability to speak, move and open his eyes. Initial tests did not reveal the cause, even after relatives raised concerns about the earlier tick exposure.
As his condition declined, Reagan was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Doctors broadened their investigation to include illnesses spread by ticks, and a blood sample was sent to a specialized Mayo Clinic laboratory. On June 9, his family learned he had Powassan virus.
Why Powassan Virus Can Be So Dangerous
Powassan virus is uncommon, but it can be devastating. Unlike Lyme disease, which typically requires a longer attachment period, Powassan virus may be transmitted by an infected tick in as little as 15 minutes. Removing a tick promptly is still important, but it cannot prevent every infection.
The virus is carried by blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, which are also linked to Lyme disease. Powassan belongs to the orthoflavivirus family, which includes West Nile and Zika viruses.
Fewer than 100 Powassan cases are diagnosed and reported nationwide each year, although reports have risen as tick populations have expanded. The United States recorded 76 human cases in 2025, including 10 deaths. About one in 10 cases is fatal, and roughly half of survivors can experience lasting neurological complications.
These complications can result from inflammation and swelling in the brain. They may affect speech, movement, consciousness and breathing, making rapid medical evaluation essential when serious symptoms develop.
More Ticks, More Tickborne Risks
Experts say ticks are appearing in more places across the United States, increasing the chance that people will encounter the pathogens they carry. Nearly 90% of illnesses tied to bites from disease-carrying insects and arthropods in the country involve ticks rather than mosquitoes.
“There are more ticks in more places,” said Dr. Stephen Rich, a microbiologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who runs TickReport, a tick-testing service.
“Whenever you have more of something, more of the vectors, you’re inevitably going to have more of the pathogens.”
Lyme disease remains the most common tickborne illness, with CDC estimates approaching 500,000 cases each year. Ticks can also contribute to other health problems, including alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to meat and other animal-derived products that can follow a lone star tick bite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tick Bites in New Hampshire
What should I do after finding a tick?
Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick as close to the skin as possible, pulling upward with steady pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands afterward. Note the date and monitor for symptoms, especially fever, headache, unusual fatigue, weakness or a rash.
When should I seek medical care?
Contact a health professional if you become ill in the days or weeks after a tick bite, particularly if symptoms worsen or include confusion, severe headache, weakness, trouble speaking or difficulty moving. Weeks after a tick bite, serious symptoms should not be dismissed simply because the tick was removed quickly.
How can I reduce tick exposure?
Use an EPA-registered insect repellent, wear protective clothing in grassy or wooded areas, stay on cleared paths and perform thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors. Checking pets and showering soon after coming inside can also help identify ticks before they remain attached.