The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- A British woman, Victoria Stellas, fell into a 42-day induced coma after contracting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) from a tick bite while on holiday on the Greek island of Siras in 2019.
- She now suffers from chronic seizures and memory loss, takes 15 to 18 tablets a day, and lost her jobs as a hotel worker and teaching assistant, needing about six months of hospital care and recovery in total.
- The NHS says the risk of TBE in Britain is very low but recommends vaccination at least a month before travel to affected areas in Europe, Russia and parts of Asia, and advises precautions like covering skin and checking for ticks.
- Victoria is sharing her story to raise awareness, noting she did not know the vaccine existed, and that the vaccine is available only privately through travel clinics and pharmacies.
What to watch next
- Whether Victoria's awareness efforts lead to more travellers seeking the TBE vaccine before visiting risk areas
- NHS and Public Health Wales guidance on tick precautions, including protective clothing, DEET repellents and prompt tick removal
- Availability of the TBE vaccine, which the report says is not offered by the NHS and remains private-only
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Named Greece · United Kingdom · Liz Stellas · Benedict Michael · National Health Service · University of Liverpool · Victoria Stellas · Wales Public Health
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