Powassan Virus: Surveys of Human and Animal Sera

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Abstract
Powassan virus, a newly described group B Arthropod-Borne virus was 1st isolated in September 1958 from the brain of a child dying of encephalitis who lived at Powassan, Ontario. Neutralizing antibody which was detected in 6 of 180 human residents of northern Ontario, including one of 6 family contacts of the index case showed that Powassan virus caused inapparent infections in man. Neutralizing antibody was detected in sera from 4 to 13 chipmunks and one of 9 squirrels captured within 20 miles of the residence of the index case. This indicates that squirrels and chipmunks are likely to be natural reservoirs of virus.