As spring temperatures draw more people outdoors, a local family is sharing their heartbreaking story as a stark warning: a single tick bite, from a creature the size of a pin tip, can have devastating and life-altering consequences.
Around this time last year, Kevin Boyce's life took a tragic turn after he was bitten by a black-legged tick.
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are.
WATCH HERE"He was in the hospital for about 24 days, I think," his sister, Erin Boyce, said. "They had to med flight him from Emerson to MGH."
Erin explained that her brother contracted Powassan virus, a rare but dangerous illness transmitted by the same tick species known for carrying Lyme disease. The insidious nature of these ticks makes them particularly hazardous.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox with our News Headlines newsletter.
SIGN UP "The issue for most people with a deer tick or black-legged tick is that they're so small they don't even notice them," said Tia Pinney, a senior naturalist with Mass Audubon. "The nymphs are the size of a pinhead and the adults are not much bigger."
Kevin never knew he had been bitten. He began experiencing headaches, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms, which rapidly progressed, ultimately leading to severe brain damage.
"It was horrifying," Erin Boyce said, "but we knew what Kevin would want, so you know, we just had to let him go."
While Powassan virus infection is rare, research indicates that its incidence is increasing, according to Dr. Peter Krause, a senior scientist at the Yale School of Public Health.
"There have been 60 cases in the last 10 years in Massachusetts, so about six a year," Krause said. "If you figure there are about 7 million residents in Massachusetts, it's roughly a one-in-a-million chance of getting this disease."
Despite the low odds, the potential severity makes it a significant concern. Environmental scientists point to climate change as a key factor contributing to the rise in tick populations over the last several decades. With more ticks surviving warmer winters, the risk expands to more people. The Boyce family hopes their experience will spur others to take the threat seriously.
"We want people to know to beware, to be cautious," Erin Boyce said.
This sentiment is echoed by outdoor experts who emphasize proactive measures.
"Be conscious, be aware of tick protection," Pinney said. "Don't fear them, don't fear the outdoor interactions because of them."
Protecting Yourself from Tick-Borne Illnesses:
Experts recommend the following preventative measures when spending time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas:
- Use Repellent: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or other EPA-approved ingredients effective against ticks.
- Cover Up: Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot. Tuck pants into socks and wear long sleeves if possible.
- Perform Tick Checks: After coming indoors, thoroughly check your entire body for ticks, paying special attention to areas like the scalp, behind ears, armpits, groin, and behind knees. Check children and pets as well.
- Shower Soon After: Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks.
- Proper Removal: If you find an attached tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
