“We are expecting the first cases of TBE soon,” said Primary Jörg R. Weber, head of neurology at the Klagenfurt Clinic, yesterday at a press conference in Vienna on the subject of ticks. He himself removed the first tick from the back of his knee on February 19th. Due to climate change, there is no longer a winter break in which you can feel safe from ticks. “We have been observing a short-term appearance of ticks around Christmas time in mild temperatures for years,” confirmed Georg Shower, tick researcher at AGES (Agency for Health and Food Safety). Unfortunately, many Austrians have become careless when it comes to vaccination against FMSE, even though the disease can sometimes be fatal.
In addition to the “common wood tick”, the species of tick that is most widespread in Central Europe, the tropical giant tick (Hyalomma) is now also becoming more and more common in Europe. According to experts, thanks to climate change, it could become a permanent home here. “The animals come into the country with migratory birds,” said Shower. A key difference between the giant tick and the common wood tick is that it actively approaches its host, while the native tick lies in wait for its victims. The new species is also problematic because, as a carrier of the Crimean-Congo fever viruses, it brings with it new pathogens. Cases of the disease have already occurred in Portugal, Spain and southern France in recent years.
For now, however, TBE is the greater threat in Europe. Although the disease could be prevented through vaccination, there are between 100 and 200 cases in Austria every year. More than 63 percent of those infected last year had a severe course. “They develop inflammation that affects the meninges, the brain itself or the spinal cord and spinal nerves,” said Bernhard Haas from the Institute for Hospital Hygiene and Microbiology of the Styrian Hospital Society.
Often severe damage caused by TBE
Again and again, frightened patients come to the hospital outpatient clinic after a tick bite and ask about a “vaccination afterwards”. However, such an immunoglobulin is not available. In addition, TBE disease cannot yet be treated causally, added neurologist Weber. “Even if the typical symptoms of the disease quickly lead to a suspicion of TBE, which is confirmed by antibody detection and a puncture of the spinal fluid, the doctors have no choice but to accompany the disease symptomatically,” says the doctor. Essentially, according to Weber, we can only work on avoiding secondary diseases, providing those affected with timely care in the intensive care unit, possibly providing artificial ventilation and preventing aspiration, the penetration of substances into the respiratory tract, from occurring. “After recovering from an infection, lengthy rehabilitation is usually necessary. Damage can still remain,” says Weber.
Vaccination recommendations
The basic immunization against TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) for adults consists of three vaccinations; there is a separate children’s vaccine for children.
The first booster should take place three years after the primary vaccination. Further booster vaccinations should be given every five years up to the age of 60 and again every three years from this age onwards.
ePaper
Read the ePaper now!
Read the daily ePaper edition of the OÖNachrichten – browse through it digitally now!
to the e-paper
Author
Ulrike Griessl
Life and Health Editor
Ulrike Griessl
info By clicking on the icon you can add the keyword to your topics.
info By clicking on the icon you open your “my topics” page. You have saved 15 tags and need to remove tags.
info By clicking on the icon you can remove the keyword from your topics.
Add the topic to your topics.