Health experts call for vaccination against TBE

Number of TBE cases is increasing: Now get vaccinated

The number of reported TBE cases in Germany has risen again. The disease is transmitted by ticks and can be fatal in extreme cases. However, against the infectious disease you can get vaccinated. Now is a good time.

Number of TBE cases to new record high

The number of tick-borne encephalitis-disease has again increased. In the year 2018 583 TBE cases and almost 100 cases more than in the previous year (2017: 486) have been reported in Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). This is the highest number of TBE cases since the introduction of the reporting obligation in the year 2001. The infectious disease is transmitted by ticks. Especially people who live asked, in Risk or wish to travel, should be timely vaccinated. The Federal centre for health education (BZgA) advises.

Ticks can transmit various diseases

Ticks in Germany can be transferred far disease, a disease caused by bacteria. You can be severe and affects mainly the skin, nervous system and the joints.

TBE is transmitted by virus in the majority of cases, bites by Ticks. In rare cases, TBE can also be transmitted through raw milk of diseased goats or sheep, however, from person to person.

In about a third of the TBE-Infected disease symptoms occur.

First of all, it comes to flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and dizziness.

In some patients, a brain is formed of the skin and inflammation of the brain with the risk of damage to the spinal cord. In the extreme case, the disease is fatal.

Against TBE you can get vaccinated. According to health experts, the vaccination should be made against TBE in a timely manner.

Vaccination recommended

“There is still time to get a TBE vaccination, before the active period starts in the Free”, explains Dr. med. Heidrun Thaiss, Director of the BZgA, in a statement.

“This is not only true for travellers in TBE risk areas holiday. Also, for those who live in high-risk areas, the Vaccination against TBE is important,“ said the Doctor.

“Anyone who resides in such a Region, the great Outdoors, especially in the forest, it is recommended the vaccination against TBE.”

In addition, it is useful to note some of the tips to protect against ticks.

According to professionals, for example, rates to put the pants into the socks, if it is in the undergrowth on the road and to wear long-sleeve clothing. In addition, special insect sprays can keep the small animals away.

Risk of infection, especially in southern Germany

In General, approximately from April to September, with a risk of infection.

According to the BZgA TBE occurs in the case of Germany, especially in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, but also in the southern part of Hessen (Odenwald), in the Southeast of Thuringia and Saxony.

Are also affected the districts of Marburg-Biedenkopf (Central Hesse), Saar-Pfalz-Kreis (Saarland), Birkenfeld (Rheinland-Pfalz) and Emsland (lower Saxony).

The RKI has reported this year, five more counties as new risk areas. For this purpose, three districts in Bavaria (LK Garmisch-Partenkirchen, LK Landsberg a. Lech, SK Kaufbeuren), as well as the district of Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, the district of Emsland (lower Saxony).

The card with the high-risk areas is to be found here.

Subsequent vaccination can prevent the disease

The BZgA further explains, is established with three injections a prolonged Vaccination against TBE. According to the usual vaccination schedule is obtained, depending on the vaccine, the first two vaccinations at an interval of 14 days or one to three months.

A short-term Immunization is from about 14 days after the second vaccination. For longer protection, a third vaccination is necessary. It is administered after a further five or nine to twelve months.

A first refreshing rate, it is recommended after three years, a further touch UPS – depending on age – every three to five years.

A Transfer is already done, no longer can prevent a subsequent vaccination the onset of the disease, explain the experts at the Portal “infektionsschutz.de”. (ad)