Tick Bite on a Greece Holiday Left Woman in 42-Day Coma: Why Travelers Should Know About Tick-Borne Encephalitis

A holiday in Greece turned into a life-changing medical emergency for one woman after a tick bite led to a rare but serious brain infection. What began as flu-like symptoms eventually resulted in weeks in an induced coma, long-term memory problems, seizures, and permanent lifestyle changes.

Her story serves as a reminder that while tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is uncommon, it remains a significant health risk in several parts of Europe. Understanding the disease, recognizing the symptoms, and taking preventive measures can help travelers reduce their risk.

A Holiday That Took a Devastating Turn

Victoria Stellas, a 51-year-old woman from Anglesey, Wales, experienced what she believed was an ordinary holiday to the Greek island of Syros in 2019. During her stay, she developed symptoms that resembled the flu. At the time, there was little reason to suspect anything more serious.

After returning home, her condition worsened dramatically. She began suffering seizures during the night and sought medical treatment. Doctors initially struggled to identify the cause of her illness, leading to multiple hospital visits and extensive testing.

As her neurological condition deteriorated, an MRI scan revealed the need for specialist care. She was airlifted to Liverpool's Walton Centre, where doctors placed her in an induced coma that lasted 42 days. Following further investigations, specialists diagnosed her with tick-borne encephalitis, a viral infection that causes inflammation of the brain.

Life After Tick-Borne Encephalitis

Although Victoria survived, the infection left lasting consequences.

She now experiences ongoing memory loss, seizures, and cognitive challenges that affect many aspects of daily life. She also relies on between 15 and 18 tablets every day to manage her symptoms.

Simple tasks that many people take for granted have become difficult. Remembering names, managing everyday responsibilities, and maintaining employment have all become major challenges.

Victoria shared that she previously worked both in a pub and as a teaching assistant supporting children with special educational needs. However, persistent memory problems made returning to work impossible, eventually resulting in the loss of both jobs.

She explained that while she can often recognize familiar faces, recalling names remains a daily struggle.

What Is Tick-Borne Encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis, commonly known as TBE, is a viral infection spread through the bite of infected ticks. Unlike Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria, TBE is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system.

Most infected individuals never develop severe illness. Some may not experience symptoms at all, while others develop a flu-like illness that resolves on its own.

However, in a small percentage of cases, the virus progresses to affect the brain and nervous system, causing inflammation known as encephalitis. This stage can become life-threatening and may result in long-term neurological complications.

Symptoms to Watch For

Early symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis often resemble many common viral illnesses, making diagnosis difficult.

Typical early signs include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• General weakness

If the infection progresses, more serious neurological symptoms may develop, including:

• Seizures
• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking
• Loss of coordination
• Problems with movement
• Altered consciousness
• Severe headache

Medical attention should be sought immediately if neurological symptoms develop following recent travel to areas where ticks are common.

Where Is Tick-Borne Encephalitis Found?

According to health authorities, TBE is found across many parts of:

• Greece
• Central Europe
• Eastern Europe
• The Baltic countries
• Russia
• Parts of China
• Japan

Although locally acquired infections remain rare in the United Kingdom, travelers visiting countries where infected ticks are present may face increased exposure, particularly during outdoor activities.

Woodlands, grasslands, farms, hiking trails, and areas where livestock or wildlife are present are among the environments where ticks are commonly found.

How Victoria May Have Been Infected

Victoria believes she was bitten while visiting her brother-in-law's property in Greece, where goats were kept. Livestock and wild animals often provide ideal hosts for ticks, increasing their presence in surrounding vegetation.

Many people never notice a tick bite because ticks are small, painless, and may remain attached for several days before being discovered.

Why Early Diagnosis Can Be Difficult

One of the biggest challenges with tick-borne encephalitis is that its symptoms closely resemble many other viral illnesses.

Doctors may not immediately suspect TBE, particularly if patients do not mention recent international travel or possible tick exposure.

In Victoria's case, specialists only identified the infection after her neurological condition became severe enough to require advanced testing and specialist care.

Awareness among both travelers and healthcare providers plays an important role in improving diagnosis.

Prevention Is the Best Protection

Unlike many viral infections, tick-borne encephalitis can often be prevented through vaccination for people traveling to higher-risk regions.

Health authorities recommend that travelers planning outdoor activities in areas where TBE is common consider vaccination well before departure, as multiple doses may be required for optimal protection.

Other preventive measures include:

• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
• Using insect repellents containing DEET.
• Staying on marked walking paths.
• Avoiding tall grass and dense vegetation.
• Checking your body after spending time outdoors.
• Examining clothing, equipment, and pets for ticks.
• Removing attached ticks promptly using fine-tipped tweezers or a dedicated tick-removal tool.

Reducing exposure remains the most effective strategy for avoiding tick bites.

Expert Perspective

Medical experts note that severe neurological complications remain relatively uncommon.

Professor Benedict Michael, a specialist in zoonotic infections at the University of Liverpool, explained that most infected people either experience no symptoms or recover after a flu-like illness.

Only a small percentage develop brain inflammation, but when this occurs, treatment mainly focuses on supportive care because there is currently no specific antiviral therapy for tick-borne encephalitis.

This makes prevention and vaccination especially important for travelers visiting areas where the disease is more prevalent.

Raising Awareness Through Personal Experience

Despite the lasting effects of her illness, Victoria continues to travel back to Greece each year.

She now shares her experience with students at Bangor University to educate future healthcare professionals and raise awareness of tick-borne diseases.

Her mother also hopes that more people recognize that seemingly harmless insect bites can sometimes have life-changing consequences.

While cases like Victoria's remain rare, her experience highlights the importance of understanding travel health risks before visiting destinations where tick-borne diseases are present.

Final Thoughts

Tick-borne encephalitis is an uncommon but potentially devastating infection that can leave survivors with lifelong neurological complications. Travelers planning outdoor activities in parts of Europe and Asia should familiarize themselves with local health recommendations, consider vaccination where appropriate, and take simple precautions to reduce tick exposure.

Victoria's experience demonstrates how quickly a seemingly minor tick bite can escalate into a serious medical emergency. Although most tick bites do not result in severe illness, awareness, prevention, and prompt medical attention remain the best defenses against this potentially life-threatening disease.

Source

BBC News and includes additional public health information from the NHS regarding tick-borne encephalitis.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding vaccinations, travel health recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. If you develop severe symptoms such as seizures, confusion, or difficulty speaking after a tick bite or recent travel, seek immediate medical care.