Powassan virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Powassan virus belongs to a group of viruses that can cause infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Tick-borne diseases may cause potentially serious infections if you are bitten by an infected blacklegged tick (also called a deer tick). Not all blacklegged ticks carry the infectious agents that cause anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus, and/or Lyme disease, and not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will develop signs and symptoms of these diseases.
See the Ministry of Health’s Tick-Borne Diseases webpage for information about:
- What black legged ticks look like and where they live
- How to avoid getting a tick bite and how to remove a tick
- Tick testing
- Signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Blacklegged ticks are spreading to new areas of the province. They can also spread by traveling on birds and deer. While the probability is low, it is possible to find an infected tick almost anywhere in Ontario. See Public Health Ontario's Lyme Disease Estimated Risk Areas Map for more information. Ticks are most active in spring and summer but can be found at any time of the year when the temperature is above freezing (0°C).
If you find a tick, place it in a container and get it identified before disposing of it. Give the tick to a healthcare provider or contact the Environmental Program at the Health Unit for tick identification. They can be reached at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5400. The tick will be sent to a laboratory for testing. Alternatively, you can send a picture of the tick to the eTick website. All you need is a cell phone to take a picture and upload it directly to the website, or use the app. If successfully uploaded, species identification is available within 48 hours.
Local Information
2023 Statistics
Incidence rate is the number of new cases of disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease during a particular time period.
Cases:
0*
*Indicates confirmed cases in 2023.
Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2023: 0
Incidence rate per 100,000 of Powassan virus by year
Data Sources |
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More Information about Powassan Virus |
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Reporting |
Report to the Health Unit by next business day by phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 if Powassan virus is suspected or confirmed as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., c.H.7. |
Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have Powassan virus? |
No exclusion necessary unless too ill to participate in regular activities. Person to person transmission has not been documented. |
Healthcare Provider Information |
Public Health Ontario: Powassan Virus Public Health Ontario: Arthropods (e.g., Mites, Lice, Fleas, Maggots, and Ticks) - Microscopy U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: Powassan Virus - HCPs |
Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.
Last updated: June 2024, by CDC