Rare, Tick-Borne Virus Confirmed In Rhode Island

A rare, tick-borne virus has been confirmed in Rhode Island, according to the state.

The Rhode Island Department of Health confirmed that a case of Powassan virus disease was detected in a Rhode Island resident.

"This resident is a male in his 60s who lives in Providence County," the department said in a media release.

"He began experiencing symptoms of Powassan in May," the release said. "He was hospitalized but is now recovering at home."

Dr. Jerry Larkin, the director of the health department, warned Rhode Island residents to be vigilant about ticks.

“With summer now here, we all need to be thinking about tick prevention measures when outdoors,” Larkin said in the release.

“Repel and reduce your exposure to ticks, check your body for ticks, and be sure to remove ticks if you find one on yourself, a family member, or a pet," Larkin said. "Ticks are tiny. You may not be able to feel them or spot them right away. The sooner you find and remove them, the better your chances are at preventing the serious health issues caused by illnesses like Powassan and Lyme Disease.”

This is the state's first case of Powassan in two years and its ninth since it was first reported in Rhode Island in 2016, according to the release.

Those infected with Powassan can develop a fever and neurologic disease, the release said.

"In severe cases, the illness can progress to meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis, with signs including altered mental status, seizures, aphasia (difficulty speaking), paresis, (muscular weakness or paralysis), movement disorders, and cranial nerve palsies (paralysis of muscles in the head and neck)," according to the release.

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