In 2024, a 62-year-old man from Massachusetts was unknowingly bitten by a tick. At first he developed what seemed like flu-like symptoms — severe headaches and vomiting — but within days his condition rapidly worsened. He collapsed at home and was admitted to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness.
Medical staff determined that he had developed a serious inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which caused catastrophic swelling and damage. Despite treatment in an intensive-care unit, his brain was too severely affected and he passed away a few weeks later.
His family — especially his sister — has now spoken out, hoping their tragedy will serve as a warning to others. They urge people to be alert for ticks and to take precautions this spring and summer, because even a brief, unrecognized bite from a tick can carry serious consequences
