So big is the risk of ticks in the Southwest really

Paralyzed limbs in adults, learning difficulties in children: These are just two of the consequences that TBE may have. This is transmitted by ticks. In southern Germany, the risk is very high to be infected with the pathogen. For 2018, researchers expect more ticks than they have for ten years. But only in Baden-Württemberg, fewer people can be vaccinated against FSME than anywhere else in Germany. Experts call on doctors to recommend default vaccinations, such as those for tetanus or measles. Why does it make sense and what are the risks?

Last year, about 700 people in Germany were diagnosed with TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). That's what figures show from the Robert Koch Institute, which monitors infectious diseases on behalf of the federal government. 85% of infections occurred in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. And: Almost all those affected were not or not sufficiently vaccinated. The south of the country is one of those areas where many ticks carry TBE viruses. Researchers and doctors recommend vaccines specifically for these areas.

Often serious long-term consequences

Gerhard Dobler, doctor and researcher at the German Infection Research Center, explains: "We still have no treatment against TBE. If the disease breaks out, we can not treat it. Therefore, doctors can not influence the operation of the infection. Some patients only have a few days of headaches and fever. Others die even of the disease, but these cases are rare: nationwide, there were only three deaths between 2014 and 2016 according to RKI. Those who survive often suffer long-term consequences. "Even with a slight progression, many patients fall for weeks, can not work, children miss the lessons," said Dobler. Serious consequences include, especially in adults, paralysis of the arms and mental damage. Many patients would be aggressive or no longer effective after the illness.

"Unfortunately, many pediatricians do not realize that even young patients can suffer serious consequences for so long," says Dobler. Studies in Sweden have shown that almost half of sick children have significant sequelae of FSME. In general, the infection is less severe in children than in adults. While about one in two sophomore students completes a challenging course, it's only 25% in children. This is what shows a study of Baden-Wuerttemberg. "But many children have learning problems or similar limitations," warns Dobler. "A vaccine is the only protection, we do not have any therapy". He generally recommends that adults in southern Germany be vaccinated. The serum is approved for children from the age of 13 months. Here Dobler advises to balance each case individually. Does the family live near the forest? Do children go to a kindergarten in the forest? Those who answer these questions with "yes" should vaccinate their children sooner. For others, it is enough for Dobler to wait until girls and boys play a lot outdoors.

The SPD of the Stuttgart Parliament has solved the problem. Your health expert, Rainer Hinderer, draws a sobering conclusion: "The fact that the TBE vaccination rate is 21.6%, even behind the German average of about a quarter of citizens, scares Baden-Württemberg. far behind when it comes to accepting vaccination. Despite all efforts and educational campaigns: "An increase in the acceptance of vaccines in Baden-Wuerttemberg is clearly not recognizable.On the contrary, the numbers have declined in recent years. It is striking that the vaccination rate of children in Baden-Wuerttemberg is still lower than the German average, "warns Hinderer

Discover more: The risk of viral infection by ticks has increased sharply [19659008] According to recent studies, complications such as temporary paralysis occur infrequently.Dobler speaks of less than one case of 100,000 vaccinations.In contrast, fever or pain in the arm in response to vaccination may occur in children under three years of age in 15% of cases. "When one weighs the benefits and risks of vaccination on benefits," summarizes Dobler specialist of FSME together. Ays, like Austria, almost 85% of people are vaccinated against FSME. There, many people were infected with the virus in the 1960s and 1970s. Therefore, vaccination is done in kindergartens and schools. It belongs to standard vaccinations – unlike currently in Germany. "This should be changed and recommended as early as the age of five, such as vaccination against measles or tetanus," Dobler desires.

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