Minnesota Warns Powassan Risk Is Rising as 5% of Ticks Test Positive
Updated
Updated · St. Paul Pioneer Press · Jun 21
Minnesota Warns Powassan Risk Is Rising as 5% of Ticks Test Positive
3 articles · Updated · St. Paul Pioneer Press · Jun 21
Summary
Minnesota health officials said tick populations are moving north and tick-bite-related emergency room visits are increasing, raising concern about Powassan virus during the state's peak risk window from late May to mid-July.
14 cases in 2024 marked Minnesota's peak year for Powassan, followed by eight in 2025; officials said the virus remains uncommon but can cause encephalitis, permanent neurological damage and death, with no treatment available.
Cass and Itasca counties logged six to seven reported cases each from 2008 to 2022, the highest in the state, and the west side of Gull Lake was identified as a prime exposure area.
Diagnostics are difficult because symptoms often resemble fever, headache or muscle aches and the virus is not routinely included in many tick-borne disease panels, though antibody and PCR testing are available.
One Gull Lake victim, Jeffrey Johannsen, died in 2023 at 69 after severe neurological decline, underscoring officials' push for prevention through EPA-registered repellents, permethrin and protective clothing.