Health officials have issued a warning after a case of tick-borne disease encephalitis (TBEV) was been confirmed in the UK.
The virus was found in Yorkshire, with a 'probable' case detected in the Loch Earn area of Scotland. In a study, published by a joint UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Defra committee, it was found that the virus was likely present in both ticks and humans across the country.
The tick-borne illness is already common in many parts of Europe, with seriousness of the virus ranging from completely asymptomatic, to mild flu-like symptoms, to severe infection in the central nervous system. In more severe cases, the virus can lead to meningitis or encephalitis, according to the World Health Organisation.
The serious condition of encephalitis is uncommon but potentially deadly as it causes the brain to swell.
Following the findings, the joint committee stated that the risk to the public remains low at the moment.
However, there have been a total of three cases of probable or confirmed TBEV in England since 2019, with the virus identified in Yorkshire, Hampshire/Dorset and Norfolk.
And with a probable case in Loch Earn, experts are concerned that the virus is present in more widespread areas of the UK as the tick species which carries the virus can easily spread it.
Ian Jones, professor of virology, University of Reading, said wearing appropriate clothes “essentially removes the risk”.
“Tick-borne encephalitis virus was reported in ticks in Thetford Forest in 2019 and today’s update would suggest that it has now become established at other sites and caused sporadic disease in people,” he said.
“Genetically the UK viruses have been close to European or Scandinavian strains so they may have originally arrived from the near continent in ticks attached to birds.
“The virus is found naturally in some ticks and gets transferred to a person if they are bitten (only if the tick is infected), usually on bare arms and legs whilst walking through undergrowth. Wearing appropriate clothing essentially removes the risk.”
Prof Jones added: “Now here, it’s unlikely that TBEV will disappear, but the general threat level is very low and there is no reason to suppose cases in people will be any more than sporadic in nature.
“A vaccine is used in areas of high incidence in Europe and could be considered here for individuals with outdoor occupations in areas where the virus is found.
“For the general public however the risk is minimal.”
Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Our surveillance suggests that tick-borne encephalitis virus is very uncommon in the UK and that the risk to the general population is very low.”
Anyone who become unwell following a tick bite is urged to seek medical attention via a GP.
If symptoms appear severe and common to meningitis - including severe headache, stick neck, pain looking at bright lights, or a sudden development of neurological symptoms such as a seizure, sudden confusion, weakness, or facial dropping - people are urged to seek urgent medical attention.
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