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Rare tick-borne virus left New Hampshire man critically ill, "nonverbal"
CBS News • • health
Key Points:
- John Reagan, a 66-year-old outdoorsman from New Hampshire, remains critically ill in a Boston hospital after contracting the rare Powassan virus from a tick bite.
- His condition deteriorated rapidly, progressing from being alert to nonverbal with muscle paralysis within a day of hospitalization.
- Powassan virus is a rare but increasingly detected tick-borne disease primarily found in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, with only seven cases reported in 2026 so far.
- Unlike Lyme disease, Powassan virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes of tick attachment and can cause severe neurological complications, though no vaccine or specific treatment exists.
- Friends and family are raising funds to support Reagan's medical expenses and are urging the public to take precautions against ticks; recently, Reagan showed signs of improvement by opening his eyes and breathing independently.
