Tick-Borne Disease
Tick-Borne Disease Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) Detected in England: A New Risk for Public Health A recent risk assessment, published by a multi-agency cross-government committee, has alerted the public to the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in England. The assessment is based on both human cases and the detection of the virus in ticks across several areas of the country, including the Hampshire/Dorset border, New Forest, North York Moors, and Thetford Forest. While the risk to the general public in the UK remains very low, it is essential to understand the implications of this emerging health concern. Tick-borne encephalitis virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. TBEV is prevalent in many parts of Europe and Asia, particularly in forested areas. It causes a range of symptoms, from mild flu-like illness to severe infections affecting the central nervous system, such as meningitis or encephalitis. Severe cases of TBEV can