Number of TBE cases reaches new record highs

Increase in TBE cases: Health experts call for vaccination

In Bavaria, as many TBE cases as never before have been registered in the past year. You can get vaccinated against the tick-borne illness. The vaccine is especially recommended for people who are often in nature in risk areas.

As many FSME cases as ever

In Bavaria, so many people are suffering from tick-borne tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in 2017, as never before since the introduction of mandatory reporting in 2001. Specifically, 229 cases of FSME were reported last year at the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) registered. In 2016 there were 159 FSME cases in the Free State, and in 2015, 128 cases were registered. Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml again campaigned for vaccination against FSME.

Last year in Bavaria, so many people were affected by tick-borne tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) as never before since the introduction of mandatory reporting in 2001. Experts call for vaccination. (Image: Marco2811 / fotolia.com)

Especially in the elderly, the disease can be difficult

"Only a vaccine against TBE provides adequate protection against this infectious disease," said the politician, who is a licensed doctor.

"Although the actual tick season usually begins in the spring. At mild temperatures, the ticks can also be active all year round. A vaccine is therefore always useful, "said Huml.

"FSME is no trifle," the minister warned. Especially in older people, the disease can be difficult. According to health experts occur in about one third of the infected disease symptoms.

First, there are flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting and dizziness.

According to doctors, around ten percent of meningitis and encephalitis are associated with the risk of permanent damage such as paralysis. In one to two percent of sufferers, the disease leads to death.

The majority of Bavaria is TBE risk area

"Experts recommend the TBE vaccine for anyone in Bavaria who is often in nature in risk areas," Huml said.

Currently, 83 out of 96 Bavarian counties and county-level cities are at risk of FSME.

"The vaccine against FSME is very well tolerated and is taken over in the Free State by the statutory health insurance," explained the politician.

Full immunization requires three vaccinations within one year. From 14 days after the second vaccination, 90 percent of those vaccinated already have protection.

Protection against ticks

In addition to TBE, ticks can also transmit Lyme disease. Although no vaccine protects against this infectious disease, it can be treated with antibiotics.

Basically, it is best to protect yourself from ticks as well as possible. It makes sense, for example, to put the pants in the socks when you are traveling in the undergrowth and wearing long-sleeved clothing. Special insect sprays can keep the little animals away.

After a tick bite is urgent. The animal should be removed as soon as possible.

Act quickly after a tick bite

It is important that "all parts of the tick are removed to prevent inflammation," writes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on its website.

"To do this, you grab the tick with a pair of tweezers or a special tick-removing instrument near the surface of the skin, ie on your mouthparts (never on the soaked body!) And pull it out of the skin slowly and straight," it continues.

The tick should not be turned as far as possible and under no circumstances should it be drizzled with oil or glue before being removed. This would unnecessarily irritate the animal and could cause it to release its saliva and thus possible infectious agents ".

After removal of the tick, careful disinfection of the wound is recommended.

According to health experts, you do not have to go to the doctor after every tick bite. The risk of contracting Lyme disease or TBE is low overall.

However, anyone who notices after the bite of a tick that skin redness occurs at the injection site should seek medical help immediately. Because this is an indication of Lyme disease.

If you are not sure about a redness after an insect bite or bite, you can compare it with pictures of the so-called Erythema migrans on the Internet. (Ad)