A disease spread by ticks that can harm the brain has been identified in ticks in the UK for the first time.
The PHE says it has confirmed cases of “tick borne encephalitis virus” in ticks from two parts of England;p near Thetford Forest and an area on the Hampshire Dorset border. Despite this, the risk described to people is “very low”, but is still putting preventative measures in place and monitoring how common these infected ticks are.
A tick is a tiny, spider like creature that lives in undergrowth and on animals, including deer and dogs.
People who spend time walking in countryside areas where infected ticks can be found are at risk of being bitten and catching diseases they carry.
Dr Nick Phin, from Public Health England, said, ”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.”
Most people who catch the virus will have no or only mild flu like symptoms. But the disease can progress to affect the brain and central nervous system and can sometimes be fatal.
Ticks can also carry other diseases that can make people ill including Lyme disease.
Dr Phin said: “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.”
How the disease got here though, is less clear. Professionals are saying infected ticks may have latched onto migratory birds, and entered the country that way.
Facts about ticks and tick bites.
- To reduce the risk of being bitten, cover your skin, tuck your trousers into your socks, use insect repellent and stick to paths
- If you are bitten, remove the tick with fine tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool found in chemists, then lean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water
- You should go to your GP if you think you may have been bitten by a tick in the past month and develop flu like symptoms or a circular red rash
- Ticks feed on the blood of animals and people.
- They cannot jump or fly but live in vegetation and wait for a passing animal or human to climb on to.
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is to be taken seriously and to be acted on promptly.
