Tick-borne encephalitis Vaccination

The majority of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases are picked up from a bite by an infected ixodids tick. The tick carries the virus in its saliva. A very few people have contracted TBE from drinking unpasteurised milk and eating dairy products from animals infected with the virus.

Infection with the TBE virus can result in encephalitis, which can cause permanent neurological damage and leave patients needing long-term rehab.

The World Health Organization states that there are between 10,000 and 12,000 cases of TBE a year – but says that this is a conservative estimate.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis

The symptoms of TBE emerge two weeks after infection and, as with other types of encephalitis, can be described as flu-like. Nausea, lethargy, fever and muscle pain are common. This flu-like illness lasts for eight days and most people make a full recovery after this.

However, if the infection spreads to the brain, it can turn into encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. This is a medical emergency, and you will need admitting to hospital if you have these symptoms:

• confusion or drowsiness
• seizures
• photophobia
• paralysis
• speech problems

With proper care patients do recover, but it may take months or years to get completely better. One in ten patients who progress to encephalitis will suffer long-term cognitive difficulties. And about 1% of TBE cases are fatal.

If you get flu-like symptoms within a few weeks of your return from an area where TBE is a risk, see your GP.

Countries where you could catch TBE

Tick-borne encephalitis can be contracted in Austria, the Balkans, the Czech Republic, European Russia, Hungary and Slovakia, as well as in the forests of Scandinavia. It is also present in the far eastern parts of the Russian Federation, Mongolia and northern China. The risk is present from late spring until early autumn.

What travellers are at risk from tick-borne encephalitis?

Travellers who will be working in forestry or agriculture are at elevated risk from TBE. If you are planning to do outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and camping then you are at risk, too.

How to avoid catching tick-borne encephalitis

Avoid bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers impregnated with insect repellent and by tucking trousers into socks. Ticks prefer long grass and vegetation so stick to clear trails and avoid bashing paths through undergrowth.

Any ticks that do attach themselves should be removed promptly and without squeezing the body of the tick.

The virus is occasionally picked up from drinking unpasteurised milk and it is important to be aware of this risk.

There is more information about avoiding TBE and other tick-borne illnesses on our blog.