Tick-borne virus raising alarm in the UK: The initial symptoms you should know about

A deadly tick-borne virus that can cause meningitis has been found in several areas of the UK, health officials have warned. The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was detected in Yorkshire last year, and also in the Loch Earn area in Scotland. Health officials also believe there was a case in the Hampshire/Dorset and Norfolk area, prompting fears that the tick species is widespread in the UK.

TBEV can result in serious disease including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Officials are urging people to be wary when walking through woodland and wear appropriate clothing to reduce the chance of tick bites.

Initial symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis virus

Many people infected with TBEV do not have symptoms or perhaps just mild flu-like symptoms—so it can be hard to tell if you've been infected, especially during the flu season. However, in some cases it can lead to very serious illness such as meningitis and encephalitis, as per CDC:

• Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness.
• A few days later, severe symptoms can develop including confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, weakness of the arms or legs, and seizures.
• Sometimes initial symptoms last a few days and completely resolve, but then about a week later the more severe symptoms develop (known as ‘biphasic illness’).

Despite the findings it is thought that the chance of contracting TBEV is still very low. Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UKHSA, said, as per Sky News:

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.

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How to prevent tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)

There are several steps to help prevent TBEV, including wearing long trousers and long sleeve shirts when walking through long grass or woodland. Ian Jones, professor of virology, University of Reading explained, as per The Independent:

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.

Ticks can also carry various other infections such as Lyme disease so if you do go walking in long grass it is important to check for ticks afterwards and remove them promptly.

Vaccines are also used in areas of high incidence across Europe and so may be considered here in the future for people who work in jobs where they spend a lot of time outdoors.

Members of the public who become unwell after a tick bite should seek GP advice, and urgent medical attention if they believe they have symptoms of meningitis or sudden neurological episodes.

Sources used:

Sky News 'Tick-borne virus detected in several areas in England, UKHSA warns'

The Independent 'Warning as deadly tick-borne virus detected in several areas in England'

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 'Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)'