John Reagan Breathes on His Own After 1 Month Hospitalized With Powassan Virus
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jun 17
John Reagan Breathes on His Own After 1 Month Hospitalized With Powassan Virus
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 17
Summary
66-year-old John Reagan opened his eyes and began breathing independently Wednesday, the first improvement reported in weeks after more than a month in a Boston hospital.
A tick bite likely picked up while walking his dog on the Pembroke-Concord line preceded a rapid decline from talking in the emergency room to becoming nonverbal with impaired muscle movement.
Doctors later identified Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne disease with 7 U.S. cases reported in 2026, mostly in the Northeast.
Dr. Rakhi Kohli said the virus can spread after just 15 minutes of tick attachment, and severe cases can cause encephalitis; there is no vaccine or specific treatment beyond supportive care.
Friends are raising money for Reagan's family and using his case to warn outdoor enthusiasts about tick precautions as Powassan is being detected more often.