An individual in Penobscot County has tested positive for the Powassan virus. That’s the fourth person in the state to develop the disease so far this year, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The other cases were reported in York, Lincoln, and Penobscot counties in June.
Powassan is transmitted through the bite of deer ticks, and infections can be severe, even fatal.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and vomiting, as well as meningitis, convulsions, and an altered mental state.
To prevent tick bites, public health officials advise using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and performing tick checks after spending time outdoors.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.