Tick Season Begins: Health Expert Urges Caution Against Tick-Borne Diseases

Tue 25th Feb, 2025

As spring approaches, tick activity is on the rise across Germany, raising alarms among health experts regarding the potential for tick-borne infections, particularly tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Gerhard Dobler, the head of the National Consulting Laboratory for TBE at the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, warns that ticks are now prevalent throughout the country and can pose risks year-round.

According to Dobler, there have already been reports of TBE cases this year in regions such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony, indicating that infections can occur even in winter months. The TBE virus is transmitted through tick bites and can lead to serious neurological complications, including inflammation of the brain and meninges.

Despite the dangers, vaccination rates remain alarmingly low. Data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) shows that only about 19% of the population was vaccinated against TBE as of 2020. This means that a significant majority of individuals in high-risk areas lack adequate protection.

The primary regions at risk for TBE include Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, southern Hesse, southeastern Thuringia, and Saxony. Since 2022, parts of southeastern Brandenburg have also been classified as risk areas. Other regions with isolated risk zones include Middle Hesse, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

In light of the growing presence of ticks, Dobler advocates for a reevaluation of how risk areas are defined. He recommends that all of Germany be designated as a risk zone for TBE, rather than limiting the classification to specific regions. Furthermore, he suggests that existing risk areas should be categorized as high-risk zones, and a nationwide vaccination recommendation should be implemented.

Vaccination against TBE is highly effective, with an effectiveness rate exceeding 97%. This robust protection underscores the importance of increasing vaccination rates, especially in light of the rising number of reported cases. In the previous year, Germany recorded 686 TBE cases, with Baden-Württemberg accounting for 226 of these, including severe cases requiring hospitalization.

Given the increasing tick population and the potential health risks associated with tick bites, experts emphasize the importance of preventive measures, including vaccination, particularly for individuals living in or traveling to high-risk areas. With the spring season approaching, now is the time for residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families from tick-borne diseases.


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