GRAFTON, Mass — The state's first case of Powassan virus this year has been reported in Sharon.

The potentially deadly virus is transmitted through infected ticks, and public health leaders warn people to take precautions.

Sam Telford, a professor of infectious disease and global health at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, said Powassan is related to West Nile virus and can cause a severe neurological disease. He said up to 10% of the people who get it will die.

Telford dragged a sheet along the woods near Tufts University in Grafton, and, in the course of a few minutes, was able to collect a number of ticks.

He said there are special types of clothes one can use to prevent and kill ticks, but there are also simpler methods as well.

"Just simply spritzing a little bit of repellent on your shoes, your socks, exposed areas of your body is sufficient,” Telford said. “And I tell people, look, we force our kids to wear a helmet every time they go outside and ride a bicycle. Why not just make it a habit of grabbing the repellent and giving a quick spritz?"

The state Department of Public Health said 16 cases of Powassan have been reported in Massachusetts in the last 10 years.