New travel warning: Travellers visiting France risk contracting tick-borne encephalitis

As summer reaches its peak, most people have been busy squeezing in as much sun and relaxation as they can. While the smart travellers know about all the travel scams, or the things to do to make travel easier, or what to avoid doing at all costs when flying, seasoned travellers also know that keeping tabs on travel warnings is key to ensuring that you can experience a comfortable and safe holiday.

As reported by Wales Online, new travel warnings have been issued for those travelling to France, about a potential infection from tick bites.

Earlier, a health warning had also been issued for tourists travelling to Turkey.

Here's everything you should know about the latest health announcement.

Tourists warned of potential outbreak of disease

As reported by Wales Online, tourists who want to visit France have been warned of a potential health threat: tick-borne encephalitis (or TBE),which has been found to have a 94 per cent hospitalisation rate for those who contracted it in France.

One of the main areas of this TBE circulation is the Haute-Savoie department, which saw a huge number of these cases. However, now, cases are also being reported in Ardèche department.

About 61 people have been diagnosed by tick-borne encephalitis in the UK, after having travelled to France for their summer holidays. This has led to the health warnings by Public Health France

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The dangers of tick-borne encephalitis

TBE is contracted by humans after being bit by ticks often in humid wooded areas, while camping, hiking, or mushroom picking.

This virus can be very dangerous to humans, as the infection can affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) in many cases, with 40% of such cases leading tolong-term neurological issues that goes on for years.

The infection can lead to contracting diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, and encephalomyelitis.

As per the NHS, the virus that causes tick-borne encephalitis does not cause symptoms in most people. But some people get flu-like symptoms about a week after being bitten, such as a high temperature, tiredness, a headache, aches and pains and feeling sick.

In serious cases, if the infection spreads to the brain, symptoms can be observed in a few days or weeks later. These can include:

• a stiff neck and a severe headache
• pain when looking at bright lights
• a fit (seizure)
• a change in behaviour, confusion or slurred speech
• weakness or loss of movement in part of the body

The best way to prevent TBE is to protect yourself from tick bites, by using insect repellent and being careful about your surroundings. You can also get a TBE vaccine.

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Sources used:

Wales Online: 'France travel warning of infection that left 94 per cent hospitalised'

NHS: 'Tick-borne encephalitis'