Blood test for Powassan Virus by Coppe Laboratories Coppe Laboratories Powassan Virus testing includes both a direct and indirect test. A simple blood sample is all that is required. The direct test (PCR) will detect acute infection and the indirect test (IFA) provides evidence of viral exposure. The picture at the left represents a positive POWV. Powassan virus is carried by the same tick that causes Lyme disease. Unlike Lyme Borrelia, however, the virus is transmitted within 15 minutes of tick…