Encephalitis virus detected in ticks in the UK
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Topic: Encephalitis virus detected in ticks in the UK
Posted By: Technophobe
Subject: Encephalitis virus detected in ticks in the UK
Date Posted: October 30 2019 at 2:15am
Press release
Tick-borne encephalitis virus detected in ticks in the UK
Surveillance detects tick-borne encephalitis virus in 2 parts of England for the first time.
Published 29 October 2019
From:
Public Health England
Tick on grass
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) has been detected for the first time in ticks in the UK. The findings are part of ongoing research by Public Health England (PHE) and the Emerging and Zoonotic Infections National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit at the University of Liverpool.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an infection spread by tick bites and is endemic in mainland Europe and Scandinavia, as well as Asia.
Most people who catch TBE will not have any symptoms - though it can cause flu-like symptoms, and in a small number of cases can progress to more serious disease involving the central nervous system.
The virus has been detected in a small number of ticks in Thetford Forest and an area on the border between Hampshire and Dorset. Further work is under way to identify the distribution of TBEV infected tick populations.
Earlier this year a European visitor became ill after being bitten by a tick in the New Forest area. This is considered to be a highly probable case of tick borne encephalitis (TBE). The patient, who was reported to PHE through the European Early Warning and Response System (EWRS), has since made a full recovery.
To date, no other cases of TBE considered likely to have been acquired in the UK have been identified. The risk from TBEV is currently assessed as very low for the general population.
Dr Nick Phin, Deputy Director, National Infections Service, Public Health England, said:
Tick-borne encephalitis virus, which is endemic in many European countries, has been found for the first time in a very small number of ticks in 2 locations in England. These are early research findings and indicate the need for further work, however, the risk to the general public is currently assessed to be very low.
Ticks carry a number of infections including Lyme disease, so we are reminding people to be ‘tick aware’ and take tick precautions, particularly when visiting or working in areas with long grass such as woodlands, moorlands and parks.
Contact your GP or dial 111 if you begin to feel unwell with flu-like symptoms following a tick bite.
Lyme disease remains the most common tick borne infection in the UK, and the risk of acquiring Lyme substantially outweighs that of acquiring TBEV.
Ticks are found throughout the year - but are most active between spring and autumn.
Background
Tick bite risks and prevention of lyme disease contains advice on tick avoidance measures for the public.
Source: Public Health England press office: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tick-borne-encephalitis-virus-detected-in-ticks-in-the-uk - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tick-borne-encephalitis-virus-detected-in-ticks-in-the-uk
Wellington House
133-155 Waterloo Road
London
SE1 8UG
Email phe-pressoffice@phe.gov.uk
Telephone 020 7654 8400
Out of hours 020 8200 4400
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Replies:
Posted By: EdwinSm,
Date Posted: October 31 2019 at 11:18pm
These are pests. Endemic where I live, but made much worse by the increase in deer (nearly all imported species for the pleasure of hunters). The government is not helping as the licenses for shooting are not keeping pace with the rising population.
Not just disease, but in our community (scattered over various islands) last year there were nearly 250 vehicle collisions with deer.
With collisions and illness (I've known people here who needed a hospital stay) there is a huge social cost.
[sarcasm] My feelings have nothing to do with the deer eating any tulips we grow and most of the crocuses. [/sarcasm]
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Posted By: Technophobe
Date Posted: November 01 2019 at 5:15am
Sympathies!
I have a great love of methi (fenugreek leaf) which is almost impossible to buy here in Scotland. So we grew it, very successfully until the deer found it. They left not one scrap or fragment. Apparently they love it as much as I do.
How am I going to make methi chicken now?
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