Tick-borne encephalitis on the rise in Europe

At a glance

Tick-borne encephalitis is on the rise year after year in Europe and around the world. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself.

Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis

Ticks aren't only responsible for spreading Lyme disease, as explained in the article "Don't let ticks bite you". They can also potentially carry a virus responsible for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
This is an infection of the nervous system that can potentially be transmitted through the bite of an infected tick: tick-borne encephalitis. The virus responsible belongs to the same family as yellow fever. The ECDC's (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) report shows that it is spreading and increasing year on year: around 2,000 cases were recorded in Europe in 2014, rising to more than 3,000 in 2018. Since then, this figure has been hovering between 5,000 and 12,000 cases recorded each year in Europe!
People infected with TBE can present temporary symptoms such as fever, nausea or headaches. One in three people may develop more severe conditions such as paralysis, epilepsy, attention disorders and sometimes coma. 10% may experience long-term neurological complications for which no treatment exists.

Regions where tick-borne encephalitis is endemic

The TBE virus is endemic (or sporadic) in regions of at least 20 European countries, including Belgium and our neighbouring countries, from spring through to the cold season.

Three questions to ask yourself to avoid tick-borne encephalitis

Where are you going? Is your destination an endemic region? Are you going on a trip or holiday in natural areas (woods, meadows, parks or gardens)?
When are you going? The risk of infection increases from early spring through to late autumn, a period that coincides precisely with holiday times.
What activities are you planning? Outdoor activities in wooded areas or areas with tall grass (hiking, gardening, camping, fishing, golf, etc.) carry a particularly high risk.

Pfizer has created a tool to help you calculate the risk:

Protection

Aside from basic protection such as wearing suitable clothing (long trousers, a T-shirt, long sleeves, shoes and high socks) and checking your body after exposure, you can also use a tick repellent spray.

Get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis

The most effective solution is vaccination. But be careful: to be effective, it must take place 1 month before exposure to the risk! Vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent tick-borne encephalitis. It's recommended by the Superior Health Council for people who, in risk areas, take part in outdoor activities during the active tick season. TBE vaccination provides overall field efficacy of 96 to 99% in people who are regularly vaccinated. We recommend visiting the website of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (www.wanda.be) or talking to your doctor if you're planning to travel to an area identified as at risk.

What you probably don't know (yet)

Also according to Pfizer specialists, here are 5 things you probably don't know about ticks:

A tick bite isn't noticed immediately, as it doesn't hurt: indeed, tick saliva has an anaesthetic effect thanks to bioactive substances with anticoagulant, local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The tick season is lengthening over time: the ideal soil temperature for ticks is between 6 and 25°C. Global warming is therefore extending their active season (currently from March to October).
Ticks are good vectors for viruses; once infected, ticks carry the virus for life.
The virus has been circulating in Belgium for several years among wild boar, roe deer and cattle.
Direct transfer: The virus responsible for tick-borne encephalitis enters our body immediately after the tick bite.

Useful links:

Click here for a useful checklist.

Article written in collaboration with Pfizer.