Prevalence and distribution of Powassan/deer tick virus in Pennsylvania

Powassan/deer tick virus (POWV/DTV), a tick-borne flavivirus, is emerging in the United States. However, little work has assessed spatial distribution and infection prevalence density of infected vector ticks Pennsylvania (PA). Therefore, we conducted active surveillance for Ixodes scapularis every PA county screened pathogen presence by real-time RT-PCR. A total 1,672 pools were assayed 5,588 adult I. collected. We detected POWV/ DTV three counties. Minimum rates (MIRs) ranged between 1.01 1.47%. Mean statewide MIR was 0.06% ± 0.28%, well below estimates from more northern studies, suggesting relatively recent emergence PA. These data should help efforts to raise awareness among regional public health practitioners POWV/DTV distribution.