FSME Germany map shows high ticks risk

Ticks caused by ticks: doubling of meningitis in 2011

The tick season is in full swing. A tick bite can transmit dangerous infectious diseases and can lead to life-threatening situations for pricked patients. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the number of meningitis increased again last year. A Germany map published by the institute shows in which areas special care is required. A study is now to clarify why especially the south of the republic is particularly affected. Nevertheless, nobody should panic in panic, not every tick transmits serious illnesses. Those who protect themselves well in advance are on the safe side.

Meningitis by ticks doubles
According to evaluations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin, the number of meningitis caused by ticks has risen in Germany. In 2011, a total of 423 patient cases were reported to the institute, who suffered from a tick bite an early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE). "This corresponded to a significant increase over the previous year (260 TBE cases) by 63 percent," as the RKI reported in a statement. "Except for the years 2005 and 2006, when there were also 432 and 546 traps respectively, the annual reported number of FSME patient cases was relatively stable between 2002 and 2010, with a range of 239 to 313" said a spokesman. The viral infectious disease causes symptoms similar to seasonal flu, which is why in some cases the disease is recognized late. Patients suffer from fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally meningoencephalitis, which causes inflammation in the brain and meninges. But many people do not feel any signs and do not get anything from the disease.

Tick ​​Atlas shows danger spots
In the course of the investigations, the RKI has published a tick atlas on which doctors and interested parties can recognize the potential "tick-risk". Accordingly, around 140 cities and regions throughout Germany are affected. Compared to recent years, the cities of Ulm (Baden-Württemberg), Kempten (Bavaria) and Saar-Pfalz-Kreis have been added. Thus, for the first time there is also a warning for a region in the Saarland. It is striking that especially the south of Germany is affected by a relative risk of ticks. According to RKI, there are a particularly large number of ticks in meadows, parks and forests in the federal states of Bavaria, southern Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia. However, this does not mean that there are no ticks in the other federal states. However: "Federal states, in which so far no TBE illnesses were acquired: Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg."

It remains unclear why the disease rate more than doubled last year. Based on the data, however, it can be seen that the number of infections increases again and again, as a spokeswoman for the RKI emphasized. The reasons for this are very different and in some cases not sufficiently researched. The analyzes show, however, that the infections by ticks in Germany do not expand spatially. However, the number of TBE illnesses in the risk areas has increased. The spokeswoman pointed out that in 2006 a total of 546 infections were reported to the RKI. In the following year, the infection rate dropped back to 239 people affected.

Prevention the best remedy for infections
There are many ways to protect yourself from tick bites. Conventional medicine recommends that you be vaccinated at least in the risky areas. This also applies to people who intend to spend a holiday in the region. The vaccine is given in three separate doses. Every three to five years then the vaccine protection must be renewed. In the endangered areas, the statutory health insurance funds cover the costs of preventive treatment. In naturopathy, therapists are more likely to use lotions containing aniseed, lavender, tea tree, rosemary or citronella oils, as reported by alternative practitioner Jochen Stein. These substances would irritate and expel the bloodsuckers. Disadvantage of lotions is that they have to be applied hourly again and again, so that the effect would be preserved. For prevention, it is also advisable not to walk barefoot in meadows and to wear closed clothing if possible so that ticks do not find any free skin.

The RKI emphasizes that even in the regions that are not explicitly considered to be at risk, ticks are causing problems. "Infections can not be ruled out there either," says the institute. Rather, it is likely that the virus is also latent in the western, northern and eastern countries, where it was still widespread 20 to 30 years ago.

Climatic change could be the cause
Some researchers suggest that the potential increase is related to climate change. This question is currently being investigated by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI). The scientists are investigating how the insects develop in different climatic conditions. On behalf of the Federal Environment Agency, the experts have been analyzing ticks habitats on meadows and forest sites in seven federal states since 2008. To determine the data, the soil and air temperatures are measured and in which populations the ticks are present in which areas. The project is a long-term study because the count of insects takes several years. Only after a certain time can secured information about distribution and occurrence be made.

Not every tick is a carrier animal
Many people assume that every tick carries a virus. But that was wrong, as Stein explained. "Only every hundredth tick transmits a Lyme disease". The statement is also supported by the Foundation for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWIG). Basically, there is a possibility that a tick transmits a disease, but most stitches are "rather harmless except for a wound site," says the IQWIG. For the TBE viruses, the picture looks similar. The viruses are not everywhere in the risk areas in the same frequency, so the RKI. The so-called herds of nature are very small and the spread is difficult to determine, since extremely many ticks would have to be examined for this.

Christine Klaus, scientist at the FLI in Jena, on the other hand, hopes for a faster realization. The researchers are currently investigating animals such as goats, cows and sheep, in order to be able to narrow down natural herds. In some blood samples, the experts were able to detect antibodies to the viruses. In Bavaria, for example, the number of antibodies in herds of horses was very high. For example, it may be possible to draw conclusions about "the presence of TBE viruses in their environment," according to Klaus.

Lyme disease by tick bites
Ticks can cause borreliosis in addition to meningitis. This does not only apply to the risky regions mentioned but also to the entire area of ​​Germany. The health authorities report on 8000 patients in the last year, whereby only seven federal states have set up a reporting obligation and thus the number of affected persons should be at least twice as high. Lyme disease, unlike TBE, is a bacterial infectious disease. The germs can basically affect all organs in the body. Most patients suffer from nervous ailments coupled with dizziness or joint problems. In addition to the ticks, the infection is also caused by bites of mosquitoes or horse brakes. Some sufferers also suffer from palpitations and heart pains, which are usually caused by vascular inflammation.

Unlike the TBE, there is no vaccine against Lyme disease. Anyone who has been infected will be treated with antibiotics. "The best protection is the evening check for ticks," says Stein. If the insect is detected early, the risk of illness also decreases, because only with a sufficient number of secreted bacteria can a disease outbreak become possible. "Popular places for tick bites are the groin, armpits, knees and head," said Stein. After a walk in the countryside, children and adults should take a shower and gently scan the body. If a tick is found, it should be removed with a pair of ticks or tweezers. If you feel insecure, you can also consult a family doctor. (Sb)

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