Caution in TBE risk areas Ticks can spread quickly

The danger of contracting the dangerous brain inflammation TBE seems to be increasing in Germany. This has to do with the spread of ticks. Especially in the south of Germany, the small animals can transmit the pathogen.

Three circles added to the risk areas
The ticks have been active again for weeks. Among other things, the small bloodsuckers can transmit the causative agent for meningitis meningoencephalitis (TBE). The number of risk areas for it has increased in Germany, as the news agency dpa reports. In the meantime, there are a total of 145 companies, which is three more than last year. This has been reported by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in its Epidemiological Bulletin. According to this, especially in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, in southern Hesse and in southeastern Thuringia there is the danger of becoming infected with a tick bite with the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis. The districts added in 2015 - two in Bavaria (SK Hof, LK Ostallgäu) and one in Thuringia (LK Greiz) - border on existing risk areas.

Attention: In many areas of Germany, the risk of ticks is already high. (Image: bluedesign / fotolia)

There are more TBE cases in Germany
Depending on the weather, the number of nationwide cases of FSME varies significantly from year to year and tends to increase. "There is no clear trend," said Ole Wichmann, head of the RKI vaccine prevention department. Last year, 265 cases were reported nationwide, most of them in Bavaria (123) and Baden-Württemberg (69). The other states followed by a long way. In 2013 there had been a total of 420 reported cases of FSME and in the two years before 195 and 424.

Experts recommend vaccination
"Vaccination rates in the risk areas continue to stagnate or even decline and therefore remain insufficiently high to prevent a large increase in TBE numbers, as observed in 2011 or 2013," the RKI concluded. Wichmann emphasized: "People who live or work in risky areas and could be in contact with ticks should be vaccinated. The same is true for those who travel there and live in the wild. "In addition, it is best to protect yourself from ticks by wearing long trousers or applying special mosquito repellents, for example in nature. After an outdoor stay, the body should be scanned for the small animals and removed if necessary.

Infection for adults is more dangerous
In the case of an infection with TBE, flu-like symptoms such as headache, body aches, dizziness and moderate fever usually appear after about two weeks. In severe cases, FSME can cause permanent damage such as paralysis. It is reported that there are quite good vaccination rates for the triple vaccine against TBE in many risk areas for children, but often not for adults. And that although the infection is considered more dangerous for adults than for children. In severe cases it can lead to inflammation of the brain and meninges and damage to the spinal cord, in the worst case an infection ends fatally.

Ticks can also transmit Lyme disease
Ticks can not only transmit TBE, but also bacterial Lyme disease. However, there are neither typical risk areas nor vaccinations for this. Because the dangerous pathogens spread in the bloodstream eight to twelve hours after the tick bite, is after a tick bite hurry to forestall a possible illness. Often an infection begins with a red ring around the tick bite, the so-called Wanderröte. This symptom occurs in about half of the patients. Other symptoms may include fatigue, night sweats, muscle and joint pain and fever. The disease can be controlled by taking antibiotics, otherwise it can take a chronic course and lead to late effects such as joint, myocardial or neuritis. (Ad)