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A Bangor University lecturer who fell critically ill on a conservation trip to the Far East has come out of her coma.

Dr Sophie Williams, 31, was struck by a brain infection at Xishuangbanna in China in early July and was put in a coma.

The lecturer is being treated at the Walton Centre in Liverpool has now awoken and can recognise family and friends.

Her dad Mike Williams said: “Some of her friends have also been to see her and Sophie appears to be showing signs that she recognises them.

“It is wonderful to have some positive news at last and again I would like to thank everyone who has shown so much support.”

Despite the progress she remains on life support.

The conservation expert from North Yorkshire is suffering from Japanese encephalitis, a type of viral brain infection spread through mosquito bites.

At the beginning of August Dr Williams was transferred from Bangkok hospital to the UK in a special air ambulance.

Bangor University has put together a book of messages and photos from well-wishers, which has been given to Sophie’s partner, Robert.

The lecturer was undertaking botanical research with students from Bangor University 400 miles from the city of Kunming in China when she began to feel unwell on July 6.

She complained of feeling very tired, headaches and nausea before being found unconscious and taken to hospital.

According to the NHS, Japanese encephalitis is most common in rural areas throughout South East Asia, the Pacific islands and the Far East, but is very rare in travellers.

The virus is found in pigs and birds, and is passed to mosquitoes that bite the infected animals. It cannot be spread from person to person.