Powassan Virus (POWV) is the only known tick-borne virus to be endemic in North America. POWV human illnesses have been reported in the United States, Canada and Russia. POWV has different genetic variations including deer tick virus (DTV) which is transmitted by the black legged deer tick, "Ixodes scapularis". It has two distinct lineages. POWV lineage I is transmitted by the "Ixodes cookei" which is endemic in the Great Lakes region of the United States. POWV lineage II is transmitted by "Ixodes scapularis" which is endemic in the Northeast United States. Humans can become infected in 15-30 minutes after tick attachment.