On Wednesday (5/4), the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) confirmed the first human case of a tick-borne virus. The patient was diagnosed with encephalitis, after being bitten by a small spider carrying the virus called TBEV – an abbreviation in English for tick-borne encephalitis virus -, from the flavivirus family, a genus with a high rate of infection worldwide, as well as dengue and fever Jaundice and Zika.
According to England’s Health Agency, there have been three possible cases of transmission of the virus detected since 2019, but only one of them has actually been confirmed. The confirmed infection on Wednesday (5/4) is dated 2022, in the Yorkshire region, and it became the first case in the United Kingdom.
Meera Chand, deputy director of the UKHSA, said tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is common in many parts of the world, including countries in Europe, but not in the UK. TBEV causes a variety of illnesses that can be completely asymptomatic, a mild flu-like illness, or, in more severe cases, a central nervous system infection such as meningitis or encephalitis. Symptoms are similar to other causes of meningitis and may include a high fever with headache, stiff neck, confusion, or decreased consciousness.
“Our observations suggest that tick-borne encephalitis virus is very uncommon in the UK and the risk to the general population is very low. Ticks also carry a number of other infections, including Lyme disease, so take steps to reduce your chances of being bitten. Outdoors in areas where ticks thrive, such as swamps and woods, and remember to check for ticks and remove them immediately,” Chand reassured in a news release.
Despite the low risk, the virus has settled in the UK and requires care
According to Roman Beck, professor of disease ecology and molecular epidemiology at the University of Glasgow, the virus has settled in several places in the UK and may have been carried by “infected ticks that travel on migratory birds”. This assessment is confirmed by a new risk assessment, published by an intergovernmental panel of several English agencies, which reports that tick-borne encephalitis is likely to be present in England.
The UK government, through a press release posted on the official website, has warned that residents should take care to stay away from ticks. In the event of contact with small spiders, health agencies recommend that you seek medical advice if any symptoms appear.
Read more: Lice: An expert reveals how the bug invades hair
Symptoms such as severe headache, stiff neck, pain when looking at bright lights, seizure, sudden confusion or change in behavior, weakness or loss of movement in the arms and legs, drooping of the face, change in vision or slurred speech, alert to the possibility of meningitis Encephalitis or other neuritis and requires special attention in cases of possible contact with ticks.
