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HWN Suggests

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus: An Emerging Ancient Zoonosis?

Recently, a significant expansion of TBEV distribution range has been recorded. These local emergence incidents are reflected by findings of generally highly dynamic TBEV evolution in space (long-distance transfers and mixing within an area) and time (very recent diversification and population expansion). These findings are not expected, especially in the case of TBEV, which has been long considered an ancient (at least Ice Age-old) zoonosis strongly bound to very specific ecological niches. Results of bioinformatics analysis presented here, together with multiple field findings, suggest that TBEV may be regarded as an emerging disease.

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Featured

 How to protect yourself from tick-borne TBEV virus

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) is now present in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said, after the first domestically acquired case of the virus was confirmed in Yorkshire.

 Study: Most city ticks in Estonia carry dangerous pathogens

A recent ticks study by the Estonian Institute for Health Development (TAI) concludes that the little arachnids can be found in almost every city in Estonia and that 70 percent carry the tick-born encephalitis virus, bacteria that cause Lyme disease or other dangerous human pathogens.

Articles of Interest

Ask an Expert: Professor Joe Schmitt Talks Tick-Borne Encephalitis

How is TBE different from Lyme disease? Both Lyme disease and TBE are transmitted to humans via tick bites and both have potentially serious long-term consequences.2,7 However, there are several key differences...

Doctors need to be more alert to tick-borne encephalitis virus

Many countries now offer vaccinations against TBEV. I urge the NHS to ensure that this debilitating and sometimes deadly virus is on its radar and in the public domain. Luckily my son recovered, though with residual symptoms. I wouldn’t wish this virus on anyone.

Editorial for the Special Issue: “Tick-Borne Encephalitis”

The number of TBEV cases in humans has increased dramatically in recent decades in some of the endemic regions, particularly in northern Europe; risk areas have expanded and new foci have been discovered. The only effective protection against TBE is active vaccination. Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy to treat TBE.

The vacation turned into a nightmare: Marina was bitten by a tick - and contracted encephalitis

The overseas trip almost ended in a disaster: Israeli Marina Sugolov, 68, went on a vacation to Estonia with her husband Mark about a month ago, and didn't anticipate how an innocent tick bite could put her life in danger.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) – Don’t Run The Risk

The IOF and Pfizer in partnership to provide information about TBE, a disease which is very relevant to talk about in the orienteering community...

Tick-Borne Encephalitis prevention is due now

TBE is a dangerous disease as approximately 25% of infected individuals suffer from permanent consequences of the disease, such as upper limb paralysis, chronic headache, disorders of concentration, mood, or sleep, however, deaths are very rare. The WHO recommends immunisation in regions where ticks appearance is common.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus in the UK – what it is and how to protect yourself

Although the virus has encephalitis in its name, becoming infected doesn’t necessarily mean you will get encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus: A Comprehensive Review...

Diagnosing TBEV infection can be challenging due to the non-specific nature of the initial symptoms and potential co-infections. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management, prevention of complications, and effective control measures.

Tick-borne encephalitis: A review of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and management

Tick-borne encephalitis is more common in adults than in children. Clinical spectrum of the disease ranges from mild meningitis to severe meningoencephalitis with or without paralysis. Rare clinical manifestations are an abortive form of the disease and a chronic progressive form.

Tick-borne encephalitis: What travelers should know when visiting an endemic country

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an acute febrile illness with neurological manifestations that is prevalent in forested areas of moderate climate in Europe and Asia. TBE virus is transmitted by ticks and rarely by unpasteurized milk and dairy products. The disease burden is attributed mainly to resulting long-term disability, especially in individuals over 50 y of age.

Resources

TicoVac

TicoVac may help protect against the main TBE ​​​​​​​virus subtypes found in nature.

Encephalitis Society

Most people, who are infected with the TBE virus, show no symptoms at all. In those that do have symptoms (2-30%), they typically appear about one-two weeks after the bite. From those with initial symptoms, one third will develop neurological symptoms.

Health.mil

On Aug. 13, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved a TBE vaccine (manufactured by Pfizer as TICOVAC) for use in persons aged ≥1 year. The vaccine is inactivated with a vaccination schedule of 3 primary doses, and 1 booster dose administered at ≥3 years after the primary series if there is ongoing risk of exposure.

CDC

TBE virus can be found in parts of the region stretching from western and northern Europe through northern and eastern Asia. People who travel to these areas might be at risk for infection. TBE virus is not found in the United States.

ECDC

TBE is most often manifested as a two-phased illness. The first phase is associated with symptoms like fever, fatigue, headache, muscular ache and nausea. The second phase involves the neurological system with symptoms of meningitis (inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) and/or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

WHO

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an important cause of viral infections of the central nervous system in eastern, central, northern and increasingly western European countries, and in northern China, Mongolia, and the Russian Federation. Tick-borne encephalitis virus is a member of the family Flaviviridae.