The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning after discovering an uncommon tick-borne virus in numerous parts of England.
The first domestic case of the encephalitis virus (TBEV) was discovered in a Yorkshire man who had been bitten by a tick.
Meningitis can result from the infection TBEV, which is spread through tick bites.
Prior to the diagnosis being verified at the UKHSA laboratory, the diagnosing physicians who were treating the patient first considered it.
Another human case may have been discovered in Scotland’s Loch Earn region.
The virus has also been detected in Hampshire, Dorset and Norfolk and may be present in other parts of the country.
However, the risk to the public is low and there has only been three confirmed cases so far.
Before 2019, human TBEV had not been domestically acquired in the UK. In 2019 and 2020, two probable cases were reported but in those cases there was no molecular isolation of the virus, so they could not be confirmed.
Dr Helen Callaby, from UKHSA, said: ‘This study confirms the tick-borne encephalitis virus is present in parts of the UK where there are relevant tick and wildlife populations and may occasionally cause disease in humans.
Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV)
- High fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Reduced consciousness
- Complications from TBEV can cause meningitis and these symptoms include:
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Pain looking at bright lights
- Neurological symptoms
- Has a fit (seizure), if not known to be epileptic
- Sudden confusion or change in behaviour
- Weakness or loss of movement in arms and legs
- Facial dropping, change in vision or slurred speech
‘Physicians should consider the possibility of tick-borne encephalitis virus when patients present with unexplained encephalitis and a history of tick exposure, even if they have not travelled outside the UK, as the clinicians did in these cases.’
TBEV is common in many parts of the world and is usually found in western and northern Europe and northern and eastern Asia.
Anyone who experiences symptoms or feels unwell after a tick bite should seek GP advice.
Despite the risk to the general public being low, the UKHSA has recommended changes to testing in hospitals.
Dr Callaby added: ‘Although the risk to the general public is very low, it is important for people to take precautions to protect themselves from tick bites, such as covering their ankles and legs, applying insect repellent and checking clothes and your body for ticks, particularly when visiting areas with long grass such as woods, moorlands and parks.’
The European subtype of TBEV is associated with milder disease, with 20% to 30% of patients experiencing clinical disease.
While it is assumed the UK cases are the European subtype, this has not yet been proven.
Cases are on the rise in England, mainly due to increasing numbers of ticks. They live in undergrowth and latch on to humans when they walk through long grass.
Vaccines provide protection but only for a limited time and there is no known cure.
Alongside TBEV, Brits are also at risk of other infections the parasitic arachnids carry, such as Lyme’s disease.