Powassan Virus Leaves Infant Fighting for Life on Martha’s vineyard
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A seemingly perfect summer day turned into a nightmare for one Massachusetts family after their five-week-old baby, Lily, was bitten by a tick carrying the rare and potentially deadly Powassan virus.The case, the first recorded on Martha’s Vineyard in two decades, has prompted an investigation by local health authorities and raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of tick-borne illnesses.
Tiffany Sisco, Lily’s mother, discovered the tick during a routine check following a walk wiht her sister and baby on one of the island’s many cycle paths. “I found this tiny tick on her ankle,” Sisco recalled in a report broadcast by Channel 5 Boston. Though she removed the tick, a week later, Lily developed a high fever – reaching 40°C (104°F) – signaling the onset of a rapidly escalating health crisis.
Rapid Deterioration and Emergency Care
Lily’s condition deteriorated with alarming speed. She was immediately transported by plane to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where doctors initiated emergency care. Despite being prescribed antibiotics, the infant suffered increasingly severe convulsions, and her health continued to decline. Medical professionals observed swelling in Lily’s brain, accompanied by breathing difficulties, leading to her admission into the pediatric intensive care unit.
After several days of intensive testing, doctors determined the tick had transmitted the Powassan virus. This rare virus, first discovered in Powassan, Ontario, Canada in 1958, is spread through tick bites, similar to Lyme disease. According to the National Collaboration Center for Infectious Disease, symptoms typically appear between one week and one month after infection.These can range from flu-like symptoms – including fever, headache, and vomiting – to more severe neurological complications.
A Rare but Deadly Threat
In the most serious cases, the Powassan virus can cause encephalitis or meningitis, as is tragically occurring with Lily. The virus is considered potentially fatal,and long-term neurological damage is a meaningful concern.
“Will she be able to walk?” Lily’s mother wondered, expressing her fears for her daughter’s future. “Will she be able to do normal things that we don’t even think about?”
Lily’s father, Marcus, echoed his wife’s concern, but remained hopeful. “She is a fighter. He is a very strong child. And we are there for her,” he stated.
Rising Cases and Public Health Response
While three cases of the Powassan virus were identified in Massachusetts in 2025, Lily’s case marks the first reported on Martha’s Vineyard in 20 years. This has prompted a swift response from local health authorities, who have launched a full investigation to assess the risk and implement preventative measures.
Why did this happen? Lily Sisco contracted the Powassan virus after being bitten by an infected tick while on a walk with her mother and aunt on Martha’s Vineyard. The tick transmitted the virus, leading to a rapid and severe illness.
Who is affected? Lily Sisco, a five-week-old infant, is the primary individual affected. Her family, the Martha’s Vineyard community, and Massachusetts public health officials are also impacted by the case.
What is the Powassan virus? The Powassan virus is a rare but potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease. It is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Symptoms range from mild, flu-like illness to severe neurological complications like encephalitis and meningitis.
