BAG reports a significant increase in cases of tick-borne encephalitis

With warmer temperatures, the number of tick bites increases. Tiny animals can transmit dangerous diseases such as meningitis. (Photo: KEYSTONE / AP SCANPIX / SOREN FROBERG)

(nda)

Only in June, 73 people in Switzerland were diagnosed with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), as evidenced by figures released Monday by the BAG. 19659007] Hematophagous ticks are obviously very active at the beginning of this year. In previous years, far fewer people were infected with the virus until the end of June. According to the BAG Bulletin, between 46 and 109 cases were recorded during the same period in each of the years since 2000.

This year, many more people consulted a doctor for tick bites or Lyme disease . According to a FOPH projection, about 21,300 tick bite consultations and 6900 acute Lyme disease cases were reported at the end of June.

FOPH recommends vaccinations

The season begins in March and ends in June. Only a small proportion of ticks carry the dangerous TBE virus. In addition, it occurs only in certain areas of Switzerland. TBE-infected tick bites can trigger two relapses

In a first episode, patients experience flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, or joint discomfort 7 to 14 days after the bite. 5 to 15 percent of patients suffer from a second episode that can last for months and present with symptoms of meningitis or cerebral inflammation.

These symptoms can cause paralysis and permanent disability. About 1% of TBE cases are fatal. More recently, a young woman died of such a tick bite at Brittnau AG in early July. The BAG recommends vaccinating against the TBE virus.

Many more ticks are infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. There is no vaccine. Lyme disease caused by tick bites should be treated with antibiotics.