Aspirus, health departments highlight growing tick-borne threat

A rare but potentially deadly tick-borne illness is making headlines in Wisconsin after health officials confirmed recent cases of Powassan virus.

The virus, transmitted by the same blacklegged tick that spreads Lyme disease, has clinicians on alert and public health experts urging vigilance.

Powassan virus is part of the flavivirus family, a group of viruses that includes more familiar names like West Nile, Zika and Dengue.

Unlike its mosquito-borne cousins, Powassan is transmitted exclusively by the Ixodes scapularis, or blacklegged tick. These ticks are known carriers of multiple pathogens and once transmitted, the virus can move rapidly through the bloodstream to the brain, causing viral encephalitis, a dangerous swelling of the brain that may result in long-term neurological damage or even death.
Dr. James Thatcher, a physician at the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center, said the symptoms can be severe.

“Fevers and headaches, malaise, not eating, not drinking, not communicating, so, basically, brain on fire symptoms we would call it,” he explained.

Unlike Lyme disease, which can often be treated with antibiotics, Powassan virus has no widely recognized cure. It attacks the nervous system and can lead to viral encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, which can be fatal or result in long-term neurological issues.

“Classically, the early Lyme arthritis is going to be joint pain, migratory joint pain. You may or may not get that with viral encephalitis,” Dr. Thatcher added. “Because, it is mostly going to be more internal suffering, less physical suffering, but neurological Lyme disease can look a lot like Powassan infection.”

Although the virus remains rare, its severity is alarming.

According to reports from state health officials, three adults in Wisconsin have been hospitalized with the virus this summer, and one person has died. Young children, the elderly, immunocompromised and people living alone are especially vulnerable.

In the summer of 2024, the Vilas County Public Health Department reported over 140 cases of diagnosed tick-borne illnesses. Ticks live in wooded, brushy areas. Ticks are unable to jump or fly and will usually attach to a host at ground level.

“We can’t live our lives in fear. People die of Rocky Mountain spotted fever every year, with or without the rash,” Dr. Thatcher stated. “My biggest concern with viral encephalitis is dehydration. Because if you’re not drinking and you’re not nourishing yourself, you start to fall behind an infection.”

Dr. Thatcher emphasized that early prevention is key. While chemicals like DEET, Permethrin and Picaridin remain effective tick repellents, the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center also promotes natural alternatives.

“There are natural herbs like cedarwood oil, lemongrass, thyme, clove that help repel ticks, but also the other bugs,” he added. “You know, the mosquitoes that bring us those viral illnesses, the biting flies that bring us Bartonella and some other things that maybe are worse than Lyme disease. So, we got to protect ourselves from all bugs.”

The Powassan virus can incubate quickly, and testing is limited. That’s why Dr. Thatcher recommends acting fast after a tick bite and staying in contact with loved ones when beginning to feel ill. If a tick has bitten someone or a loved one and develops symptoms like fever, severe headache, or confusion, seek medical care immediately.

The following steps can be taken to protect oneself from tick diseases:

1. Use insect and tick repellents and always follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.

2. Wear protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts and pants when in areas where ticks are present.

3. Perform full-body tick checks when coming in from the outdoors. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and their scalp.

If someone finds a tick on their body, it is best practice to remove the tick slowly and gently using a pair of tweezers. Remedies like Vaseline, nail polish remover or lit matches are not safe or effective methods of tick removal.

To learn about the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center in Woodruff, visit aspius.org.

For more information on resources in Vilas County, call the Vilas County Public Health Department at 715-479-3659.