Ticks multiply – TBE risk increases

With a high number of ticks, the risk of developing tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in the southwest is also increasing. "Summer temperatures and rainfall in recent weeks have led to ideal conditions for ticks," said the State Health Bureau of Baden-Wuerttemberg. As a result, the animals are more active and have increased their numbers – just like the number of ticks that carry the TBE virus.

During the first half of the year, 99 cases of TBE were reported in Baden-Württemberg. Last year, there were only 81 cases during the same period. However, according to experience, the National Office of Health predicts even more cases in the second half of the year

Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are considered risk areas, can trigger meningitis or paralysis that can even lead to death. According to the National Board of Health, this can be attributed to the environment: "There are more areas of Baden-Württemberg than anywhere else, where people like to spend time in the beautiful nature and can also come into contact with infected ticks in various herds. "

With 13 FSME cases, Ravensburg District is the leader in the Southwest. The reasons for this situation are unknown to either the local health service or the public health department. "It's not that the population here is less vaccinated than in other counties," said Helga Hengge of the Ravensburg Health Authority.

The vaccination rate is 20 to 25%. Enlightenment, for example in Gemeindeblättern, is important to protect the population in the district. First and foremost, full body screening is essential after a day outdoors.

The district of Ravensburg has been clbadified TBE high risk area for years and even in 2017 in terms of the absolute number of diseases in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The district office reported that there have been 19 cases in the past year

. Symptoms of infection with the virus, which can lead to meningitis or encephalitis, are variable. However, it usually comes with a high fever, headache and, to a greater extent, neurological deficits leading even to paralysis.

Discover more: The risk of viral tick infection has increased dramatically