Tick-borne encephalitis is characterized by a severe spring and summer onset of the disease, which is directly related to the seasonal activity of carriers. Most infections are asymptomatic. The risk of severe progression of the disease is significantly increased in people over 60 years of age.
Spring-summer meningoencephalitis is common in Germany on the territory of lands such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, parts of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia. In Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt, the risk areas have been expanded, in which tick-borne encephalitis is most common. As indicated in a recent report by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the districts of Anhalt-Bitterfeld and Fürstenfeldbruck, as well as the city of Munich, have been added to the already existing areas. Thus, nearly 180 districts across the country are included in the risk zone.
The Standing Commission on Vaccination (Ständige Impfkommission, Stiko) recommends that people who live, work or spend time in areas at risk of spreading tick-borne encephalitis should not refuse FSME vaccination. However, despite calls for vaccination, 98% of infections reported in 2022 indicated that patients were either unvaccinated or insufficiently vaccinated against FSME, writes RKI. Vaccination rates in at-risk areas are also low.
The number of infections has increased by 30%
The classification of risk areas is based on the number of reported cases of FSME between 2002 and 2022. According to the RKI, the risk of infection exists mainly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, in southern Hesse, in the southeast Thuringia, Saxony and since last year also in southeast Brandenburg. Separate risk areas also exist in other federal states. According to the RKI, isolated cases of infection are also observed outside the designated regions.
According to the RCT report, 546 cases of tick-borne encephalitis were reported in 2022, which is 30% more than the previous year. At the same time, it is assumed that a small part of the sick could be infected during their stay abroad. Since 2001, the number of reported cases has fluctuated between 195 (2012) and 717 (2020), the report said. In 2022, there were even two deaths.
Tick bites are commonly cited as a possible source of infection. However, victims do not always notice this. According to the report, transmission is also possible through raw milk, but this is rare.
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease
The best protection against FSME comes from vaccination, writes RCT. It is indicated for children and adults living in endemic areas or planning to travel to such areas. Since viruses enter human blood together with a tick bite, the insect must be removed immediately and the wound disinfected. Removing it later does not guarantee protection. “Tick bites can be partially prevented by protective measures such as wearing covered clothing, avoiding underbrush and tall grass, and staying on trails.”
Ticks can also transmit Lyme disease, which can develop within hours of a tick attaching itself to a person’s body. According to the RCT, a fairly common disease is spread throughout Germany. Typically, the first symptom is increasing redness around the bite site, then the nerves, joints, and heart are attacked.
