A new source of concern. TBEV Encephalitis (commonly known as TBEV), one of the serious infections related to the parasite bite, arouses “a growing concern in France,” according to the expert report of the National Agency for Food, Environment and Work (ANSE).
Responsible for potentially serious neurological sequelae, the tick encephalitis virus can also be transmitted during milk consumption or raw cheeses of the same animals.
This identified a first home of multiple food infections in AIN (Auverne-Rhône-Alpes), in 2020. Since then, authorities and health professionals have been trying to inform and warn the public against the consequences of this disease. In addition, ANSE experts require greater collaboration between breeders and scientists in charge of research on this phenomenon.
The geographical extension of the virus
Before 2020, as the ANSES points out, tick encephalitis had been identified, marginally, in certain regions of eastern France (Alsace, Lorraine, Savoie and Haute-Savoie). In these specific situations, interested people had been chopped by the parasite. People had visible traces of bites about them.
But, when the first group of 43 boxes appeared in the AIN, people were contaminated after consuming raw milk cheese of the same farm. Everyone suffered from influenza or meningitis symptoms.
“There are many questions about the mechanisms of circulation and transmission of the virus. To better identify areas and situations at risk, research must be carried out in different aspects (…)”, explains Elsa Quillery, co-coordinator of the expert report.
And for a good reason, the virus now seems to spread throughout the French territory (with the exception of the Mediterranean periphery). A geographical expansion, without a significant explosion in the number of cases.
The tick encephalitis would mainly affect people who are in contact with “animal species of domestic and wild senses”, such as cows, deer or goats. Obviously, this is the case of dairy producers and producers.
Health consequences
If tick encephalitis is a worrying but “quite rare” disease in France according to mangoes, their consequences on human health are distinguished despite all the French medical profession.
The health status of sick people can get worse very quickly after infection. Headaches, fever and digestive disorders of the initial phase can lead to large -scale neurological complications, such as balanced losses, muscle weaknesses or a state of confusion and drowsiness.
“Among symptomatic people, from 20 to 40% have neurological signs of the type of meningitis, which can lead to long -term consequences and a loss of autonomy,” said the Elsa Quillería report.
Source: BFM TV
