Deadly tick virus cases found in the UK: Here's what we know about symptoms, transmission

As per an official statement by the UK Health Security Agency, 3 cases of probable or confirmed tick-borne encephalitis acquired in England since 2019.


The virus has also been detected previously in the Hampshire and Dorset, and Norfolk and Suffolk border areas but may also be present elsewhere as the tick species that carries the virus is widespread in the UK, the official statement said.

Tick-borne encephalitis infection is caused by a virus which is a member of the family Flaviviridae.


As per the World Health Organisation, approximately 10,000–12,000 clinical cases of tick-borne encephalitis are reported each year in eastern, central, northern and increasingly western European countries, and in northern China, Mongolia, and the Russian Federation.

This virus is carried by ticks and causes a range of diseases like mild flu-like illness, to severe infection in the central nervous system such as meningitis or encephalitis.


One can also have asymptomatic infection due to the virus.


The symptoms of the viral infection are high fever with headache, neck stiffness, confusion or reduced consciousness. The symptoms are similar to meningitis, an illness that affects the brain and the bones of the spinal cord.

"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. Ticks also carry various other infections, including Lyme disease, so take steps to reduce your chances of being bitten when outdoors in areas where ticks thrive, such as moorlands and woodlands, and remember to check for ticks and remove them promptly," says Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA.

One should definitely visit a doctor when symptoms like severe headache, stiff neck are experienced.


Pain while looking at bright lights is also a classic symptom of this disease.


Neurological complications like epileptic fits, sudden confusion or change in behaviour, weakness or loss of movement in arms and legs, facial drooping and change in vision or slurred speech are also indicators of the tick disease.

While many people infected with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus do not develop any signs, severe diseases can affect the brain.


"For people with symptoms, the time from tick bite to feeling sick (incubation period) is usually about 7 to 14 days, but can range from about 4 to 28 days," the US CDC says and adds that, "severe disease often occurs including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)."


It also warns that in many cases the symptoms completely resolve, but then a week later more severe symptoms develop.

Tick infections can be avoided by wearing proper clothes like long trousers and closed footwear.


One should avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products.


"Currently, there are 4 widely used vaccines of assured quality: FSME-Immun and Encepur, manufactured in Austria and Germany respectively, and based on European strains of the virus; and TBE-Moscow and EnceVir, manufactured in the Russian Federation and based on Far-Eastern strains. The 4 vaccines are considered to be safe and effective," the WHO says.

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