Maine Reports 3rd Powassan Case of 2026 as 1st West Nile Detection Hits Cumberland Bird
Updated
Updated · WMTW Portland · Jul 21
Maine Reports 3rd Powassan Case of 2026 as 1st West Nile Detection Hits Cumberland Bird
1 articles · Updated · WMTW Portland · Jul 21
Summary
Lincoln County recorded Maine’s third Powassan case this year after an adult tested positive last week, state health officials said Tuesday.
Powassan is a rare tick-borne virus that can reach people in as little as 15 minutes after a bite and causes severe brain disease in some patients.
About 10% of severe Powassan cases are fatal, and survivors can face lasting headaches, muscle weakness or memory problems; Maine logged at least one death in 2024 and at least four since 2015.
Maine’s other 2026 Powassan cases were in York and Penobscot counties, while a wild bird in Cumberland County also tested positive for West Nile virus—the state’s first detection of that mosquito-borne virus this year.
Powassan remains uncommon nationally, with roughly 20 to 50 U.S. cases reported annually from 2018 to 2023, though Maine saw a record seven cases in 2023.