A rare tick-borne virus has been linked to a newborn’s brain damage after the infant contracted it during a family walk on Martha’s Vineyard. The one-month-old baby, Lily Belle Sisco, was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital with a persistent fever and later diagnosed with viral encephalitis caused by Powassan virus.
The 20-minute walk in the West Tisbury bike path beside their $1.3 million home is believed to have led to the infection. The family is now raising awareness about the risk of tick-borne diseases, particularly among children and pets.
According to a Facebook page set up for the family business, Marcus Sisco has been by his newborn’s side every moment since her diagnosis. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $27,000 to support the family’s medical expenses.
Powassan virus is rare but serious, spread through the bite of infected ticks. It can cause fever, headache, and vomiting, as well as brain swelling, seizures, and long-term neurological complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cases occur mainly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region from late spring to mid-fall.
With Massachusetts seeing three confirmed cases this year alone, residents are being advised to take precautions against tick bites, especially during peak season. Local experts warn that the disease is unpreventable and untreatable, but can be spread within just 15 minutes of a tick’s bite.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14976199/newborn-baby-powassun-virus-marthas-vineyard.html