A 32-year-old mother, Tiffany Sisco, and her infant daughter Lily Belle were affected by a rare tick-borne virus called Powassan. The virus was detected in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the second confirmed case on Martha’s Vineyard in 20 years.
According to medical professionals at Massachusetts General Hospital, Lily is the youngest patient in the world to contract Powassan, a viral infection transmitted by an infected tick bite. Medical experts stated that there is no cure or vaccine for the virus and the only protection against it is preventing tick bites.
The family believes they contracted the disease during a 15-minute walk on the bike path near their home after Lily was born. Ms Sisco called her husband concerned when she noticed a tiny tick on her infant’s ankle, and they monitored Lily’s health until her fever developed.
Lily has suffered brain damage and had over 20 seizures in one day. She is currently receiving heavy sedatives to manage the seizures and is in stable condition at Massachusetts General Hospital. The Sisco family is raising funds for medical expenses through a gofundme page, which already collected $20,000 in donations from their community.
Medical experts emphasize that the risk of Powassan transmission can occur as soon as 15 minutes after a tick bite. As the Island has a reputation for having the highest rate of Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, locals are urged to take precautions when going outside to prevent such incidents.
Source: https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/08/05/west-tisbury-infant-contracts-powassan