2023-07-09 19:07:05
We knew about Lyme disease, minus tick-borne encephalitis. However, the virus transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick is gaining ground in France. According to Public Health data published Friday, July 7, 71 cases were detected between 2021 and 2023. These infections mostly affected men aged almost 50, but four children and five elderly people over 65, more to risks, were also infected.
What are the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis? After an incubation period of one to two weeks, the disease begins suddenly like the flu, with fever, headaches and chills. If the virus has “very low lethality”it causes, in symptomatic cases, “significant sequelae following damage to the central nervous system”noted Alexandra Mailles, epidemiologist from Public Health France.
No treatment to control the disease
According to the Institut Pasteur de Lille, the disease is more severe in children than in adults and neurological sequelae, such as paralysis of the shoulders and arms, are possible for approximately one in two cases. The diagnosis is based on the search for the presence of antibodies. A vaccine exists but, in the event of infection, there is currently no treatment to stem the disease. Only drugs to reduce symptoms such as fever are prescribed.
The virus, which is spreading throughout Europe, therefore requires increased surveillance by health authorities, and has been on the list of notifiable diseases since 2021. Despite the particular attention paid to it, the causes of its distribution remain poorly understood. Some of the cases are explained by leisure activities that take place in wooded and humid areas, where ticks are most numerous, such as hiking or camping.
Global warming in question
More “unexpectedly, the department that reported the most cases during these two years is Haute-Savoie, while the recognition of the virus is much more recent there than in Alsace”, was surprised Public Health France, during a press conference. Infections acquired on the territory – i.e. 61 of the 71 cases recorded in 2022 – are now more frequent than contaminations having occurred during travel. The main reason is global warming. With rising temperatures, “some countries or regions are becoming more tick-friendly”, continued Alexandra Mailles.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is now an important circulation zone for the virus, with mountain ranges particularly at risk, such as Forez. Ardeche “should also be subject to special monitoring”, indicates Public Health France. If the virus is transmitted mainly by a tick bite during their period of activity between spring and autumn, it can also pass through infected ruminants, mainly goats, and the virus can be found in products from unpasteurised milk.
This summer, scientists call to remain vigilant
To protect themselves, travelers to areas where infections are common, such as Central Europe, are recommended to get vaccinated. The best protection is to avoid the bite, by wearing long clothes when walking in the forest or in tall grass. Once back home, Public Health France recommends “examine yourself and carefully check your whole body” et “remove the tick(s) as quickly as possible with a tick puller or, failing that, fine forceps in the event of a bite”.
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