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Tick-Borne Encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), also known as spring-summer encephalitis, is widespread in both western and eastern Europe. It is caused by a virus spread by the bite of tiny ticks in the Ixodes family, which is the same group that carries Lyme disease. TBE also can be acquired by drinking unpasteurized milk from infected cows, goats or sheep.

As with Lyme disease, infections coincide with peak tick season, April through August. Being a viral disease, it is not curable with antibiotics, though, as is the case with Lyme disease and other bacterial tick-borne infections. The TBE vaccine, which is only available in Europe, is recommended for those who plan on an extended stay in the endemic areas, especially if they will be spending time in forests, fields, or pasture lands.

Protective clothes, repellents

As ticks attach to any spot on the host, and from there try to reach an uncovered part of the skin, adequate clothing (solid footwear, socks, close-fitting trousers, smooth fabrics, etc.) may help to make access to the skin more difficult for ticks. Unvaccinated people who spend time in forests and fields should use general tick-protection measures, including regular inspection for ticks, and use of insect repellants on skin and clothing

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