Transmission by tick bites: Only every fourth German is vaccinated against TBE

Ticks do not excite only disgust, they are often still dangerous: Up to 50 different pathogens may be transmitted by tick bites.

One of the incurable early-summer-meningoencephalitis Virus, against the but at least one vaccination can protect.

However, only a quarter of German make use of this possibility.

More than half of the Germans had already tick bites

TBE is a disease with flu-like symptoms, in a subset of patients with meningoencephalitis, an inflammation of the brain and meninges also occurs,.

Depending on the course that can lead to severe health damage and even life-threatening be.

According to a representative survey commissioned by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer 7 out of 10 respondents have heard of the TBE, the TBE-vaccination, knowledge was 71 percent.

Nevertheless, only one in four makes by Inoculation, although more than half of the German population (58 percent) has already been stung once by a tick.

TBE risk areas to take

Annually, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) informed about TBE risk areas in Germany. The experts believe that this risk is around two percent of ticks areas are infected with the Virus.

In such areas, the Standing Committee on vaccination (STIKO) therefore recommends a TBE Vaccination. Large parts of Bavaria, Baden-württemberg, as well as parts of South Hessen, Saxony and Thuringia, and count.

Since 2019, the Emsland in addition, the first TBE risk area in Northern Germany. The city of Dresden was reported as a new risk area.

Further precautionary measures against ticks

But even beyond the risk areas ticks can occur, which is why you should also be in other States and the country of the danger circles, tick-aware.

During walks in the countryside, especially the long clothing and sturdy shoes can help. An Anti-tick spray can in addition provide a few hours of protection.

In addition, it should be a Routine, after each stay in the forest and the meadows thoroughly for ticks search.

You will find, it is important to remove the blood-suckers as quickly as possible. As an aid tweezers, can cards or tick pliers Ticks are used.

The puncture site of the tick must be disinfected and some days will be observed.

The puncture should be hot, pain, and throbbing or flu-like symptoms such as fever or pain in the limbs, is strongly recommended a visit to the doctor.

Larissa Bright Mouth

*The contribution of “Transmission by tick bites: Only every fourth German is published is vaccinated against TBE” of FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.