Powassan virus
noun
Po·was·san virus
pə-ˈwä-sən- 
variants
or less commonly Powassan
1
: a flavivirus (species Powassan virus of the genus Flavivirus) that is transmitted to humans by infected ixodid ticks (especially deer ticks) and that causes a sometimes life-threatening illness
The first case, in 2008, involved a child with encephalitis who was found to be infected with the Powassan virus, an arbovirus that is related to West Nile virus.—
Bridget M. Kuehn
Bridget M. Kuehn2
or Powassan disease
or Powassan virus disease
: the illness caused by the Powassan virus that is typically marked by fever, headache, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, seizures, and often encephalitis or meningitis but that may sometimes be asymptomatic
Note: Powassan virus was first reported in the Canadian municipality of Powassan, Ontario in 1958. The illness typically occurs in the northeastern U.S. and Great Lakes region.
Don't just worry about Lyme disease this summer—Powassan virus is also spread by ticks, and doctors say it could be much more dangerous.—Charlotte Alter
Charlotte AlterSevere Powassan often needs hospitalization to receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids or medications to reduce swelling in the brain.—Nina Radcliff
Nina Radcliff… blacklegged ticks can also transmit anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—Andy Ouriel
—abbreviation POW, POWV
see also Powassan encephalitis
Andy OurielExamples of Powassan virus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lyme disease, Powassan virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Heartland virus are just a few of them.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
There are no vaccines that can prevent Powassan virus or medicines to treat the disease.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
The creatures’ bites can spread a range of rarer illnesses, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Powassan virus disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and alpha-gal syndrome.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 31 May 2024
The Powassan virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick, and although still rare, reported cases of people sick with the virus have increased in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Amy Simonson, CNN, 9 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for Powassan virus 
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Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
There are no vaccines that can prevent Powassan virus or medicines to treat the disease.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
The creatures’ bites can spread a range of rarer illnesses, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Powassan virus disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and alpha-gal syndrome.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 31 May 2024
The Powassan virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick, and although still rare, reported cases of people sick with the virus have increased in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Amy Simonson, CNN, 9 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for Powassan virus
Dictionary Entries Near Powassan virus
Cite this Entry
“Powassan virus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Powassan%20virus. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Powassan virus
noun
Po·was·san virus
pə-ˈwä-sən-
variants
also Powassan
1
: a flavivirus (species Powassan virus of the genus Flavivirus) that is transmitted to humans by infected ixodid ticks (especially deer ticks) and that causes a sometimes life-threatening illness
2
or Powassan disease
or Powassan virus disease
: the illness caused by the Powassan virus that is typically marked by fever, headache, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, seizures, and often encephalitis or meningitis but that may sometimes be asymptomatic
Note: Powassan virus was first reported in the Canadian municipality of Powassan, Ontario in 1958. The illness typically occurs in the northeastern U.S. and Great Lakes region.
—abbreviation POW, POWV see powassan encephalitisLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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