Two Connecticut residents tested positive for the Powassan virus, the Connecticut Department of Public Health announced Tuesday afternoon.
The residents, who the DPH said are between 50 to 79-years-old and reside in Fairfield and New Haven, were hospitalized with central nervous system disease around the end of April. Lab tests confirmed they were infected with the virus.
Last year, two Connecticut residents caught the virus as well. Since 2016, and through 2020, 10 cases were reported with two being fatal.
The Powassan virus is spread through a tick bite, the DPH said. Most people don’t develop symptoms, but others will experience a “severe illness affecting the central nervous system,” from anywhere from a week after infection up to a month later.