Tick-borne encephalitis virus

MICROBIOLOGY

• Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV): flavivirus member, single-strand, positive-sense RNA virus.
  
  • Three subtypes:
    • European (Western)
    • Siberian
    • Far Eastern (historically termed Russian Spring-Summer encephalitis virus)
  • Related viruses include the Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (Russia/Siberia), Kyasanur Forest disease virus (India), Alkhurma virus (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Louping ill virus (UK), Powassan virus (U.S.)
• TBEV
  • Vector: Ixodidae (hard-bodied) ticks
    • European: I. ricinus (castor bean or sheep tick)
    • Far Eastern, Siberian: I. persulcatus (taiga tick)
    • Dermacentor reticulatus (ornate cow/meadow/ornate dog/marsh tick): vector in some TBEV.
  • Reservoir: ticks, rodents, and other small mammals