Health professionals have become concerned after they believe they may have detected a tick-borne disease encephalitis (TBEV) in Scotland.
Warnings have been issued after a ‘probable’ case was discovered in the Loch Earn area of the country. The virus has been initially found in Yorkshire and a study by a joint UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Defra committee, found that the virus could be carried by both ticks and humans across the UK.
Tick-borne illnesses are commonplace in mainland Europe with some of the viruses leading to asymptomatic reactions to mild-flu like symptoms and even severe infection in the central nervous system. In more serious cases, the virus has been found to lead to meningitis or encephalitis, according to the World Health Organisation.
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Encephalitis can be deadly as it can lead to the brain swelling although this is an uncommon condition to contract. The findings from the joint committee said that the risk to the public remains low at the present time, the Daily Record reports.
Doctors believe that they have found three cases of probably or confirmed TBEV in England since 2019 with the virus detected in Yorkshire, Hampshire/Dorset and Norfolk.
With the probable case in Loch Earn, there is concern that the virus has spread to more areas across the UK. 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.
