A tick-borne virus that may trigger meningitis has been detected in a number of areas in England, in response to a brand new threat evaluation.
There have been three instances of tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) in England since 2019 – with the primary confirmed case found within the Yorkshire space final yr.
The virus has additionally been detected within the Hampshire/Dorset and Norfolk areas, however can also be current in different elements of the nation, the chance evaluation printed by a joint UKHSA and DEFRA committee mentioned.
The report was primarily based on each human instances and the detection of the virus in ticks.
TBEV is frequent in lots of elements of the world, together with many European nations.
It could cause a spread of illnesses, from fully asymptomatic an infection to delicate flu-like sickness, to extreme an infection within the central nervous system comparable to meningitis or encephalitis.
Symptoms of encephalitis are much like different causes of meningitis, and might embody a excessive fever with headache, neck stiffness, confusion or decreased consciousness.
Anyone who experiences such signs or feels typically unwell after a tick chunk ought to search GP recommendation.
While the chance to most people stays very low from TBEV, the UKHSA has really helpful adjustments to testing in hospitals in order that any additional instances may be detected promptly.
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Ticks can carry different illnesses together with Lyme illness – a bacterial an infection which may be handled with antibiotics.
Dr Meera Chand, deputy director on the UKHSA, mentioned: “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 additionally carry varied different infections, together with Lyme illness, so take steps to cut back your probabilities of being bitten when open air in areas the place ticks thrive, comparable to moorlands and woodlands, and bear in mind to examine for ticks and take away them promptly.”
The UKHSA added that investigations into why the virus has been found in ticks extra continuously lately are below means.
Source: information.sky.com”