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– We have seen a dramatic increase in recent years, and last year, the record was reached the year before, said the assistant physician in infectious diseases, Peter Nolskog.
Around 20 years ago, only a handful of people were affected by TBE, a tick-borne infection, in the county of Västra Götaland, which can lead to meningitis and brain inflammation accompanied by high fever, serious head, stiff neck and paralysis. At that time, victims were around Vänern and Vättern.
The others followed Skaraborg, as well as Dalsland and Bohuslän.
– Now we also see cases in southern Älvsborg, Nolskog points out.
The number of cases has gradually increased and in 2017, 60 cases were reported. Or, as Nolskog says: it was "all the time".
As is known, the summer of 2018 has been dry, hot and long and, as it is not optimal for small insects looking for moisture, many could expect to that their number decreases.
A little in August, it was also reported that about twenty people in the county had been affected so far.
– We had many more cases during normal summers and we believed in a quiet year. But then the fall was long and sweet. The last case was recorded until December, says Nolskog.
At the time, SMHI reported that there could be more than 10 degrees in different directions, and Peter Nolskog pointed out that this meant that there could be ticks that were "cut off".
– But the risk of being bitten is perhaps not so bad because it is not so common that we are in shorts in February and March. However, in September and October, months when we can not associate so strongly with ticks.
Depending on the weather, you may also have to pay attention in November and December, he adds.
How do you protect yourself? According to Peter Nolskog, the vaccine is the best solution, although it can seem expensive and complicated at the same time.
A vaccination registry, where it should be mandatory to register all vaccines administered, would make it much easier, he says.
– When people vaccinate against TBE, they receive a small word at home. Then the patch disappears and they will not remember when the syringe was taken or when it is time to take a new one. Today, there is also a technology to send an SMS and remind people of things. We should be able to do that, but it would be a registry that would violate privacy, "said Nolskog.
He also reminds that one must begin his vaccinations before the arrival of the spring heat.
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