Encephalitis TBE infection also confirmed by raw milk

TBE infection by goat raw milk
The tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a dangerous infectious disease, which among other things can lead to inflammation of the brain and meninges. The disease is transmitted by ticks. However, experts now report that even TBE infections could be proven by raw milk.

Health risk due to raw milk
Fresh milk from the farm is growing in popularity. Among experts, however, is disputed whether their consumption brings more advantages or disadvantages. Although researchers reported that raw milk protects children from asthma, on the other hand, it also contains numerous germs, which is why experts, such as the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) point out, always boil raw milk before consumption. Now researchers are reporting another, previously unknown health risk from raw milk.

According to scientists, TBE disorders were first documented in Germany due to infected goat raw milk. (Image: Jenny Sturm / fotolia.com)

TBE is not only transmitted by ticks
"For the first time, scientists have come up with findings from a well-documented case of two TBE illnesses due to infected goat raw milk in Germany," wrote the University of Hohenheim in a statement.

TBE (early-summer meningoencephalitis) can be particularly severe in the elderly. About one third of the infected people have symptoms of illness.

First, there are flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting and dizziness.

At around ten percent, according to doctors, meningitis and encephalitis are also associated with the risk of lasting damage such as paralysis. In one to two percent of sufferers, the disease leads to death.

Infection by the consumption of goat's raw milk
It has long been known that ticks transmit serious diseases. In addition to FSME, Lyme disease should be mentioned here.

Scientists at the University of Hohenheim will report at a press conference on the case of two people who became infected with goat's raw milk with TBE agents last year.

"Occasionally such cases were already known from Eastern Europe. The disease in Germany is the first fully documented case, "write the experts.

They also want to introduce more new findings on ticks. According to the data, this year TBE was detected for the first time in a species of ticks that has never been affected. (Ad)