Powassan – A Survivor’s Story June 3, 2015geeky science & health stuff, Home, Terrific peoplearbovirus, CDC report, Dr. Tom Courtney, encephalitis, infectious diseases, Maine's first case, Powassan virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis virus, tick-borne Powassan, West Nile virus By Ned White “Laurie Kenton” was Maine’s first diagnosed Powassan virus case, in Sept. 2000. She and her doctor, Tom Courtney, tell the story of its devastating synptoms and her eventual recovery.