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Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection of the central nervous system found in warm, forested regions of Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Asia. Those with long-term travel or work plans to these areas should consider getting vaccinated and practicing tick bite prevention strategies. Symptoms can include fever, body aches, and malaise, progressing to meningitis-like symptoms. The vaccine is not currently available in the US, but can be obtained in other countries. Prevention methods include wearing long clothing and using insecticide containing DEET.
People with long-term travel or work plans to areas where tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is endemic may need a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine, especially if they are engaged in activities where contact with ticks is likely. ticks. TBE is a viral infection of the central nervous system which can be serious. The tick that harbors the virus is found mainly on rodents in warm, forested regions of Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Asia in spring and summer. Campers, hikers, and forestry workers should practice tick bite prevention strategies and get tick-borne encephalitis vaccine well in advance of travel.
Ticks spread disease by biting. Walking in grass or bushes allows ticks to attach themselves to clothing or skin. It’s easy to miss a tick bite, as it injects an anesthetic when it bites. Once the tick has fed, it usually falls off. Tick-borne encephalitis can also be contracted by consuming dairy products, especially unpasteurized, from infected animals. Human spread of TBE is extremely rare, mainly through breastfeeding or blood transfusions.
Symptoms of the disease are usually mild in two-thirds of cases and include fever, body aches and malaise after an incubation period of 7 to 14 days. The disease can progress to meningitis-like symptoms including confusion, paralysis, and swelling of the brain. The neurological phase of the disease requires hospitalization. Supportive care is the only remedy at this point, but mortality is low, around 1%-2% with neurological involvement.
The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is not currently available in the United States, although it is available in other countries. For occasional travel from the United States to affected areas, a tick bite prevention plan is probably sufficient. Travelers from the United States to forested areas or farmland who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors or work in those areas may consider getting vaccinated in Canada. The vaccine must be administered six months before travel. In Europe, vaccination programs are already in place for those in affected places.
While the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine can help, the best way to avoid this disease is prevention. Wearing long sleeves and long pants tucked into boots helps keep ticks off the skin. An insecticide containing 30% to 50% N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) can be sprayed on clothing. All skin should be checked for ticks after returning indoors and the insecticide washed off as soon as possible. A tick found on the body can be gently removed with tweezers, being careful not to crush it so stomach contents are not injected into the wound.
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