A Maine resident died from Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne disease, the state's Center for Disease Control and Prevention said May 17.
The adult developed neurologic symptoms and was likely infected in Maine, the department said. Since 2012, the U.S. has reported 189 Powassan virus cases, according to the CDC. Of those cases, fatality rates hover between zero percent and 9 percent.
The Sagadahoc County, Maine, resident who died was the state's first Powassan case reported in 2023. Maine has reported two other deaths from the virus, both in 2022.
There are no approved therapies or vaccines for the rare virus that can be acquired through bites from infected deer ticks and woodchuck ticks, according to the CDC.