Powassan virus infection
Powassan virus is a tick-borne flavivirus (family Flaviviridae) that can cause neuroinvasive disease such as encephalitis. [1]
Transmission
Powassan virus disease is caused by an infected tick bite, which transmits the virus to humans. [2]
Disease manifestations
Powassan virus disease can present as acute febrile illness with neurologic symptoms such as encephalitis or meningoencephalitis. [3]
Prevention
Prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure through tick-avoidance and tick-bite prevention measures because no widely available specific antiviral therapy is established for Powassan virus disease. [4]