Attention ticks - The dangerous TBE spreads

The number of TBE cases with 704 just as high as never before. Also in the vacation area of family Wagner some cases occurred. At the same time, the family of five would like to finally go on vacation this year. Because of the Corona pandemic, they prefer to stay in Germany. But so that they can enjoy the time, they take precautions against ticks, because the parasites can transmit dangerous pathogens, especially borrelia and early summer meningoencephalitis viruses - TBE viruses for short. "Since we are going to a risk area for TBE, we will still get vaccinated. In advance.", says therefore the mother Jasmin Wagner. TBE is an inflammation of the meninges and the central nervous system. The disease cannot be cured with medication. But: By vaccinating one can protect oneself against FSME, knows the tick researcher Prof. (ret.) Dr. Jochen Suess. "To achieve complete vaccination protection, several vaccinations must be completed, which must also be regularly refreshed." When traveling to German TBE risk areas, the vaccination is reimbursed by health insurance companies. These areas exist in large parts of southern and central Germany, but the TBE virus is also spreading in northern and eastern Germany. Thus, 5 additional risk areas have currently been added. These include: The city district of Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt and the district of Weimarer Land. However, the virus can also be transmitted outside these areas and even in one's own garden. That's why proper protection is important, warns the tick researcher. "We have several defense strategies. First of all, it is best to wear long, light-colored, tight-fitting clothing in nature," advises Prof. (ret.) Dr. Jochen Suess. "Then you should use well-acting tick sprays and an important measure is: After spending time in nature, search yourself in good lighting for ticks, which take several hours to bite." Thus supplied family Wagner stands to your well-deserved Auszeit nothing more in the way and it can start calmly into the vacation.