20,000 England fans heading to the World Cup are warned about a deadly infection carried by ticks in Russia
- A charity has warned ticks carrying deadly diseases are rife in the host country
- They can harbour tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a viral infection that can kill
- The Encephalitis Society said ticks can be found in the 3 cities England will play
- Up to 20,000 English travellers are expected to make the journey to Russia
Thousands of England football fans are planning the trip of a lifetime to Russia to watch the World Cup this summer.
But it’s not only the threat of Russian hooligans that have pledged to ‘unleash hell’ during the tournament they should worry about.
A charity today warned ticks carrying deadly diseases are rife in the host country, as football’s most prestigious competition is now just weeks away.
They can harbour tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a viral infection that attacks the central nervous system and can cause brain swelling or meningitis.
The Encephalitis Society claimed the ticks can be found in Kaliningrad, Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod – where England are to play their three group games.
Ava Easton, chief executive of the charity, warned they are a ‘serious health concern’ for up to 20,000 English travellers expected to make the journey.
Thousands of England football fans are planning the trip of a lifetime to Russia to watch the World Cup this summer (a group are pictured in Lille two years ago at the Euros)
The Encephalitis Society said the ticks can be found in Kaliningrad, Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod – where England are to play three group games (low indicates no available data)
‘Thousands of football supporters travelling to Russia may be at risk of being bitten by a disease-carrying tick if they visit a TBE risk area,’ she said.
‘Particularly if they are planning sightseeing or outdoor activities in forested or grassy areas – including walking, hiking, cycling and camping.
‘This could result in a severe illness and so we urge travellers to speak to their healthcare professionals for advice at least 4-6 weeks before they go.’
Russia, which stretches 6,612,100 square miles (17,125,200 square km), has the highest number of reported TBE cases across the world, according to figures.
Data from experts Irkutsk State Medical University data shows there was 1.9 cases of TBE per 100,000 people in Russia across the last decade.
It’s not only the threat of Russian hooligans that have pledged to ‘unleash hell’ during the tournament England fans should worry about
Russian hooligans are warning that England fans choosing to attend the World Cup later this year are handing themselves a ‘death sentence
FIFA was forced to release a statement saying they are confident in the host nation’s ability to guarantee football fans’ security following violent incidents involving Russian ultras in Spain
WHAT IS TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS?
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection that attacks the central nervous system and can cause brain swelling or meningitis.
Most patients with TBE will recover, but a third may suffer long-term complications, including convulsions and paralysis. A vaccine is available.
There are no specific treatments for TBE, but preventative measures can be taken, including wearing long-sleeved tops and applying insect repellent.
It isn’t found in the UK – but is prevalent in most regions of Europe, China and Japan. Ticks live in forests and grassy areas.
None of host cities of the World Cup are located in Western Siberia, which has the highest rates of the potentially fatal infection.
However, Ekaterinburg, St Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod all have a ‘moderate’ prevalence of TBE, according to the researchers.
Kazan, Saransk, Kaliningrad and Samara all have a low prevalence of TBE cases, alongside Moscow, which will host the final on July 15.
In contrast, Volgograd, Rostov-on-don and Sochi – which controversially held the 2012 Winter Olympics – aren’t deemed areas at risk.
Most patients with TBE will recover, but a third may suffer long-term complications, including convulsions and paralysis. A vaccine is available.
There are no specific treatments for TBE, but preventative measures can be taken, including wearing long-sleeved tops and applying insect repellent.
England fans were targeted by Russian football hooligans at the Euros in France in 2016 (pictured: England fans in clashes with Russian supporters in Marseille at the Euros)
England fans and passers-by are caught in CS gas in a side street near Lille Flandres railway station in Lille, France, after Russia’s defeat by Slovakia
A Russian fan is pictured filming the attack on English fans before Russia’s match against England in Marseille
It isn’t found in the UK – but is prevalent in most regions of Europe, China and Japan. Ticks live in forests and grassy areas.
England, who were knocked out in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, open this campaign against Tunisia on Monday, June 18 at the Volgograd Arena.
A challenging second fixture against Panama awaits them on Sunday, June 24 in Nizhny Novgorod. Their third and final group match is against fellow European heavyweight Belgium, on Thursday, June 28 in Kaliningrad.
If they make it through, England will play either Poland, Senegal, Colombia or Japan from Group H in either Rostov-on-Don or Moscow on July 2 or 3.
Should the Three Lions unexpectedly make it through to the final, it will be held in the capital Moscow, on Sunday, July 15.
England fans have already been warned to be extra vigilant amid rising fears for their safety at the World Cup this summer.
Tensions between the UK and Russia escalated when PM Theresa May ordered the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats last month in response to the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal.
Mrs May also confirmed that no Government ministers or members of the Royal Family will be attending the tournament.
In response to the crisis, the Foreign Office warned Britons visiting Russia of ‘anti-British sentiment or harassment’.
England fans were targeted by Russian football hooligans at the Euros in France in 2016.
The British police have estimated 10,000 to 20,000 British football fans are expected to travel to Russia in the summer.
And England fans intending to travel to the World Cup have already been warned to beware of bears in the wild parts of Russia.
Visit Russia told the Football Supporters’ Federation chief in December that those wanting to camp to should careful about the danger posed by hungry bears.
TBE isn’t found in the UK – but is prevalent in most regions of Europe, China and Japan. Ticks live in forests and grassy areas (pictured, a forest on the Volga river, Russia)
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