Tick-borne Encephalitis: A Danger That Can Be Reduced – The Most Effective Protection is Vaccination

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) – is a viral infection caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. This disease affects the central nervous system (the brain, its membranes, and peripheral nerves) and is considered one of the most severe naturally occurring viral infections in Europe. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Lithuania remains one of the countries with the highest incidence rates of tick-borne encephalitis. It is crucial to understand that the infection spreads not only in forests – more than half of the people become infected in residential areas, including gardens, yards, or even city green zones.

What is tick-borne encephalitis?

It is a neurotropic flavivirus that, upon entering the human body, can penetrate nervous tissue and cause neurological disorders of varying severity. The course of the disease usually occurs in two phases:

1. Prodromal (nonspecific symptoms) phase:

• Fever (often over 38 °C),
• Headache, muscle, and joint pain,
• General weakness, fatigue,
• Nausea, sometimes – digestive disorders.
• This phase lasts about 2–7 days. Some patients recover after the first phase, but for others, the disease progresses further.

2. Neurological symptoms phase:

• After a few asymptomatic days (interphase), signs of central nervous system damage appear, which may include:
• Meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes): headache, neck stiffness, nausea.
• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain): consciousness disorders, seizures, behavioral changes.
• Myelitis or radiculitis: limb weakness, paralysis, sensory disorders.

What are the possible consequences?

• Tick-borne encephalitis can have long-term neurological consequences, even if treatment was applied in time:
• 30–35% of patients have residual effects.
• About 8–9% of cases end with partial or complete disability, which prevents the person from living independently.

Common long-term effects:

• Movement and coordination disorders,
• Persistent headaches,
• Memory, attention, and sleep problems,
• Depression, emotional instability, anxiety.
• The recovery process can take several months to years or even longer, and some changes may be irreversible.

How is it contracted?

The main route of infection is a tick bite. Ticks become infected through blood, feeding on wild animals (rodents, deer, foxes), which are natural virus carriers.

Important: the virus is transmitted very quickly after the bite – unlike Lyme disease, whose risk depends on the duration of the tick's presence on the skin.

How to protect against tick-borne encephalitis?

Although it is challenging to completely avoid tick bites, the risk of infection can be significantly reduced by following these recommendations:

Personal protection in nature:

• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, and cover the head.
• Use tick-repellent repellents.
• Avoid dense grass, do not wade into tall grass or shrubs.
• Carefully inspect the body after being in nature, especially the armpits, neck, groin, and ear area.

Vaccination – the most effective specific protection:

• Vaccination can be done from the age of 1 year.
• Vaccination is carried out in a 3-dose schedule, which ensures about 97% effectiveness.
• To maintain protection, it is recommended to administer a booster dose every 3–5 years.
• One can choose a regular or accelerated vaccination schedule.
• The effectiveness of vaccination is proven by epidemiological data: in Austria, where a national vaccination program was introduced, the incidence has decreased more than 12 times.

Since ticks are widely spread, the risk exists even in cities – in parks, cemeteries, green areas. Infected individuals are registered annually among city dwellers, who often do not even notice the fact of the bite.

Tick-borne encephalitis – is a serious infection that can have long-term or even irreversible consequences. Although it is not possible to completely avoid contact with ticks, responsible behavior in nature and vaccination are the most effective protective measures.

Regularly inform relatives, especially the elderly, children, and those who spend time actively in nature, about the threat of this infection. If you are not yet vaccinated – consult your doctor or register for vaccination at our medical institution.

This entry is prepared based on data from the National Public Health Center (NVSC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).