Deadly virus from tick bites that causes flu-like symptoms found in three patients in the UK

A deadly infection spread through tick bites has been found in several parts of the country for the first time, health officials have warned.

Three cases of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in patients have been confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in Yorkshire, Norfolk and on the border of Hampshire and Dorset.

Further tests on ticks across the country have found the disease – which until now was commonly found in parts of Europe and Asia – is now widespread in the UK, with experts warning it is ‘unlikely that TBEV will disappear’.

A surveillance programme has been established, with the NHS asked to send samples from suspected cases to the UKHSA.

Public health officials say the risk is low but have urged walkers to take precautions and seek medical help if they fall ill after being bitten.

Dr Helen Callaby, of the UKSA, said: ‘Although the risk to the general public is very low, it is important for people to take precautions to protect themselves from tick bites, such as covering their ankles and legs, applying insect repellent and checking clothes and your body for ticks, particularly when visiting areas with long grass such as woods, moorlands and parks.’

The virus typically causes mild flu-like symptoms but can lead to severe infection in the central nervous system such, as meningitis or encephalitis.

More serious cases can include a high fever with headache, neck stiffness, confusion or reduced consciousness.

Ticks are becoming more common in parts of the UK, mainly due to increasing deer numbers. They live in undergrowth and latch on to humans when they walk through long grass.

It is thought infected ticks may have arrived in the UK via migratory birds.

Further tests on ticks across the country have found the disease – which until now was commonly found in parts of Europe and Asia – is now widespread in the UK, with experts warning it is ‘unlikely that TBEV will disappear’. [File image] 

Ticks live in undergrowth and latch on to humans when they walk through long grass. [File image] 

Scientists had suspected the virus had arrived in the UK in 2019, following a couple of cases but complexities involved in testing meant these could not be confirmed.

Now the first confirmed domestically-acquired case of TBEV has been identified in a man who was bitten by ticks in Yorkshire.

Another probable human case has been detected in the Loch Earn area of Scotland, according to research being presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Vaccines can provide protection, but only for a limited time, and there is no cure.

Ian Jones, a professor of virology at the University of Reading, said: ‘Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) 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.

‘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.

‘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.’