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Victoria Stellas from Anglesey experienced a life-altering health crisis after a holiday to the Greek island of Syros in 2019, where a tick bite led to serious complications. Initially presenting with flu-like symptoms, Victoria soon began suffering from seizures during the night after returning home. Despite multiple hospital visits and diagnostic efforts, the cause of her condition remained unclear until she underwent an MRI scan and was urgently airlifted to the Walton Centre in Liverpool. There, she was placed in an induced coma for 42 days before receiving a diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a severe inflammation of the brain caused by a viral infection transmitted via tick bites.
Victoria attributes the bite to exposure at her brother-in-law’s residence, where goats—which can carry ticks—are present. The infection has profoundly impacted her life, resulting in memory difficulties, ongoing seizures, and the need to take up to 18 tablets daily. “It’s changed my life completely. Apart from the work I don’t go out as much,” she said, reflecting on the drastic adjustments she has had to make. Before falling ill, Victoria was outgoing and active but losing her jobs—in a pub and as a teaching assistant at a special educational needs school—has compounded the challenges caused by her symptoms.
Tick-borne encephalitis is mostly found in parts of Europe, Russia, and Asia, according to the NHS, and involves symptoms like tiredness, headaches, confusion, slurred speech, and even seizures roughly a week after being bitten. The NHS highlights that while the risk of contracting TBE in the UK is very low, vaccination is recommended for those travelling to at-risk countries or spending time in wooded or rural areas. Public Health Wales confirms no cases of locally acquired TBE in Wales but notes a small number of cases found in England and Scotland since 2019. As the vaccine is not available through the NHS, individuals must seek it privately from specialized clinics or pharmacies.
Victoria, originally from Greece but having lived in Wales since childhood, now dedicates part of her time to raising awareness about TBE by sharing her story annually with university students. While her nocturnal seizures have become less frequent, she faces ongoing difficulties, including persistent memory problems that affect daily activities like shopping and working. Her mother, Liz Stellas, stressed the importance of being vigilant about insect bites, saying, “You have to be very aware of things which seem harmless but they’re not. Insect bites can cause profound change in your life. I don’t think people are aware of it.” Experts emphasize that prevention measures such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and promptly removing ticks are crucial to reducing the risk of this serious infection
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