Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus [In: V. Spring-Summer Encephalitis, V. Far Eastern (Russian) Encephalitis]

Tick-borne encephalitis virus: The causative agent of the human disease of the same name

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a virus of the flavovirus genus, which belongs to the ecological group of arboviruses and the antigenic group B. Two variants of this virus are known - eastern and western (Central European), which cause the human disease of the same name. The disease manifests itself in the form of acute inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

TBEV is transmitted through the bites of ticks that carry it. Ticks become infected with the virus by feeding on the blood of infected animals such as rodents, deer, sheep and cows. A person can also become infected with TBEV if they are bitten by an infected tick.

Symptoms of the disease begin to appear 1-2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick. The first signs of the disease may include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness and muscle pain. Later, patients may develop jaundice, convulsions, impaired coordination of movements, deafness and blurred vision. In severe cases, the disease can lead to paralysis and death.

There is currently no specific treatment for TBEV. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms of the disease and maintaining body functions. Prevention of the disease includes vaccinations and protection against tick bites. Vaccination may be recommended for people living in areas with high incidence of TBEV.

Overall, TBEV is a serious threat to human health, especially in regions where the incidence of the disease is high. Therefore, precautions must be taken to reduce the risk of TBEV infection. This includes using repellents, wearing protective clothing, checking your body for ticks and removing them promptly.

**Tick-borne enkephalitis virus** is a type of flavivirus. Belongs to the ecological group of arboviruses, a virus of fatal infection. Genus Flagivirus. This genus includes the causative agents of spring-summer encephalitis associated with infection with ixodids, as well as offspring and rat ticks. Family Flaviviridae. The causative agent of the Far Eastern tick-borne epidemic encephalitis virus. The border of the distribution of latitudinal Russia among residents of eastern Siberia and Primorye. It is divided into two, mostly independent, geographical types: Far Eastern or Russian encephalitis (a disease found in the Primorsky Territory, Khabarovsk, Transbaikal Territories, Amur Region and northeast China) and the East Khingan type. Cases of epidemic deaths among people who had contact with rodent larvae have been described. There are no epidemic deaths in people with the same symptoms; in all cases, the disease is associated with tick bites. This gives grounds to consider the “East Khingan” variant to be more aggressive, but it is unlikely that the reason for this may be the characteristics of the attached tick