Tick-borne disease, one dead in Trentino

A 57-year-old man died in Trentino two months after being bitten by a tick. The patient was in a coma at the Santa Chiara hospital in Trento due to an encephalitis that was allegedly caused by the insect bite, according to medical examinations. Two months ago, the man started exhibiting concerning symptoms, according to the local press. His condition quickly worsened, leading to hospitalization and eventual death. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an acute viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is caused by an arbovirus similar to those responsible for yellow fever and dengue. It manifests with flu-like symptoms, developing into meningitis and encephalitis. The infection is present in endemic outbreaks in many Central and Northern European countries, where vaccination prophylaxis has long been in use. The vaccine, which was introduced to the Italian market at the beginning of 2006, requires the administration of three doses with boosters every three years.