What is the danger of the encephalitis tick? - briefly
The tick is a vector for the tick‑borne encephalitis virus, which can cause acute inflammation of the brain and meninges. Infection often produces fever, neurological impairment and can be fatal without prompt treatment.
What is the danger of the encephalitis tick? - in detail
The tick that transmits tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) belongs to the Ixodes genus, primarily Ixodes ricinus in Western Europe and Ixodes persulcatus in Siberia and parts of East Asia. Its saliva contains the TBE virus, a flavivirus capable of reaching the central nervous system after a bite.
Pathogenic mechanism
- Virus enters the host skin with the tick’s saliva.
- Replication occurs in local dendritic cells, then spreads via the lymphatic system.
- Hematogenous dissemination delivers the virus to the brain, where it induces inflammation of the meninges, brain parenchyma, or both.
Clinical manifestation
- Incubation: 7–14 days (range 4–28).
- First phase: abrupt fever, malaise, headache, myalgia; lasts 2–5 days, may resolve spontaneously.
- Second phase (in 30–50 % of cases): high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, nausea, vomiting; neurological deficits such as ataxia, tremor, paresis, or seizures may appear.
- Outcome: mortality 1–2 % in Europe, up to 20 % in some Asian strains; long‑term sequelae (cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction) occur in 10–30 % of survivors.
Risk factors
- Outdoor activities in endemic forests or grasslands during spring‑autumn.
- Lack of protective clothing or repellents.
- Unvaccinated individuals; vaccination coverage varies across regions.
- Age over 50 and immunocompromised status increase severity.
Prevention strategies
- Wear long sleeves, trousers, and tick‑proof socks; tuck clothing into shoes.
- Apply repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin on skin and clothing.
- Perform thorough body checks after exposure; remove attached ticks within 24 hours using fine‑point tweezers.
- Complete the recommended TBE vaccination schedule in endemic areas.
Therapeutic considerations
- No specific antiviral therapy; management is supportive (hydration, antipyretics, monitoring of neurological status).
- Hospitalization indicated for severe neurological involvement; intensive care may be required for respiratory failure or increased intracranial pressure.
- Early rehabilitation can mitigate long‑term deficits.
The primary danger lies in the virus’s ability to cross the blood‑brain barrier, producing potentially fatal encephalitis and lasting neurological impairment. Prompt removal of the tick, vaccination, and awareness of endemic zones constitute the most effective countermeasures.