A Deadly Tick Bite: Family Warns Others After Kevin Boyce’s Tragic Powassan Virus Battle
Kevin Boyce was hospitalized in April 2024 with a severe case of Powassan virus caused by a tick bite. He died a few weeks later after suffering extensive brain damage from the disease. His family is now sharing his story in hopes of encouraging others to be more cautious around ticks.
As warm weather approaches, one Massachusetts family is using their painful experience to warn the public about this devastating tick-borne illness.
In April 2024, Kevin Boyce was unknowingly bitten by a tick. He soon developed headaches, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms that worsened quickly. Just days later, the 62-year-old collapsed at home and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Doctors diagnosed him with Powassan virus, a rare but dangerous tick-borne infection.
Powassan virus remains uncommon, but cases have risen significantly over the past decade. Symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures. Severe infections may cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). According to Yale Medicine, around 10% of advanced cases are fatal.
Erin explained that although Kevin received intensive care, the disease caused catastrophic brain damage.
“His brain had blown up so much from the encephalitis, and he had really bad brain damage,” she told CBS News. “It was horrifying, but we knew what Kevin would want, so you know, we just had to let him go.”
Kevin passed away a few weeks after arriving at the hospital, leaving behind his wife, two sons, and a granddaughter. Erin said their family now hopes that sharing Kevin’s story will help others protect themselves.
“We just want the public to know what to look for and be wary of ticks, especially if you have one on your body,” she said.
In 2024, the United States reported 54 Powassan virus cases, including 12 in Massachusetts. The CDC notes that there are no vaccines or specific treatments for POWV, but several preventive steps can reduce the risk of tick exposure.
According to the National Institutes of Health, people should wear long sleeves and pants, tuck pants into socks, or seal clothing openings with tape. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. When hiking or walking in the woods, stay on the center of the trail, as ticks tend to gather on shrubs and bushes. Use chemical repellents containing DEET, permethrin, or picaridin.
After coming indoors, check yourself, children, and pets for ticks. If you find one, remove it promptly with tweezers.
The Massachusetts Department of Health warns that symptoms of POWV disease can appear anywhere from one week to one month after the bite, and the virus may be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the tick attaches. Shower as soon as possible and wash clothing on high heat to kill any remaining ticks.