Woman Suffers Life-Altering Brain Inflammation After Tick Bite in Greece

Victoria Stallas, 51, from Anglesey, Wales, has endured severe memory loss and seizures after contracting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) during a 2019 vacation in Greece. Born in Greece and relocated to Wales at age five, Stallas fell ill with flu-like symptoms on the Greek island of Syros. After returning home, she experienced nightly seizures and was eventually hospitalized. An MRI and subsequent transfer to Walton Centre in Liverpool led to a 42-day induced coma and diagnosis of TBE, a rare viral brain inflammation transmitted by infected ticks.

Stallas believes she was bitten at her brother-in-law’s goat farm, where ticks are common. The illness drastically changed her life, forcing her to quit two jobs and manage daily tasks with memory aids. She now takes 15 to 18 medications daily and still struggles with name recall and seizures, although less frequently. Supported by family, she shares her story annually at Bangor University to raise awareness.

TBE is a viral infection affecting the central nervous system, transmitted by tick bites mainly in forested areas across Europe and Asia. It typically presents in two stages: initial flu-like symptoms followed by severe neurological complications such as meningitis or encephalitis. The disease is rare in the UK and Wales, with only a few locally acquired cases reported since 2019. There is no effective antiviral treatment, making prevention through vaccination critical.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports over 3,000 annual cases in the EU, mostly between May and November. Vaccines are available privately in the UK and Israel but are not part of public health programs. Travelers to endemic areas are advised to wear protective clothing, use insect repellents, and promptly remove ticks to reduce infection risk. Greece is not currently listed as a high-risk destination by Israeli travel clinics.

Victoria’s mother, Liz Stallas, emphasizes the importance of awareness about seemingly harmless insect bites that can cause profound life changes. Public health authorities continue to monitor TBE cases and encourage preventive measures for travelers and residents in affected regions.