Victoria Stellas, a woman from Anglesey, Wales, fell into a 42-day coma [1] after contracting tick-borne encephalitis during a holiday in Greece [1].
This case highlights the severe neurological risks associated with tick-borne illnesses, which can lead to permanent brain inflammation and long-term disability even for travelers visiting common vacation destinations.
Stellas was visiting Greece, specifically near the island of Syros [2], when she was bitten by a tick. The bite transmitted the encephalitis virus, which caused inflammation of the brain and led to the prolonged state of unconsciousness [3, 4].
Although she survived the coma, the infection left Stellas with significant and permanent health complications. She now suffers from memory loss and nocturnal seizures [2]. To manage these neurological symptoms, she follows a strict medical regimen that requires her to take up to 18 pills daily [2].
Medical reports indicate that tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord [3]. While many cases are mild, a small percentage of patients experience the same level of critical illness seen in the case of Stellas, leading to long-term cognitive and physical impairment [4].
Public health officials often warn travelers to use protective clothing and insect repellent in areas where ticks are prevalent to avoid such infections. The recovery process for patients who enter a coma from this virus is often slow and requires extensive rehabilitative care to address the resulting brain damage [3].
“Victoria Stellas fell into a 42-day coma after contracting tick-borne encephalitis.”
This incident underscores the global distribution of tick-borne encephalitis and the potential for travel-related infections to cause permanent neurological damage. As climate patterns shift, the geographical range of ticks carrying these viruses may expand, increasing the risk for international tourists who may not be aware of the local risks in Mediterranean regions.
