Powassan Virus Encephalitis, Minnesota, USA

Abstract

Powassan virus (POWV) is a rare tick-borne agent of encephalitis in North America. Historically, confirmed cases occurred mainly in the northeastern United States. Since 2008, confirmed cases in Minnesota and Wisconsin have increased. We report a fatal case of POWV encephalitis in Minnesota. POWV infection should be suspected in tick-exposed patients with viral encephalitis.

Keywords

• Powassan
• encephalitis
• fatal
• tick
• virus
• Powassan virus