While rare, the rate of the Powassan virus is increasing and can cause severe disease, including inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The post Infant infected with rare tick-borne virus on Martha’s Vineyard appeared first on Boston.

The potential case comes during one of the worst tick seasons in New England in years, with a surge of tick-borne diseases and tick exposures. Only one case of Powassan virus has been recorded on Martha’s Vineyard in the past 20 years, officials said. So far this year, three cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts.