Health officials are investigating a rare case of Powassan virus in Martha's Vineyard. Powassan virus is transmitted by the bite of infected deer ticks and this is only the second case on the island in 20 years.
Officials with the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative are closely monitoring the situation.
Powassan can be spread within 15-minutes of a tick bite and there's no specific treatment or cure.
Health experts say the virus can cause brain swelling, confusion, seizures and long-term neurological complications.
(Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP / Getty Images