How dangerous is the encephalitis tick? - briefly
The tick that carries tick‑borne encephalitis can transmit a virus capable of causing severe brain inflammation, potentially leading to permanent neurological damage or death. Risk is confined to endemic regions and can be minimized through prompt tick removal and vaccination where available.
How dangerous is the encephalitis tick? - in detail
The tick that transmits tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) belongs mainly to the genus Ixodes; in Europe it is Ixodes ricinus, while in parts of Asia and the Far East it is Ixodes persulcatus. These arthropods acquire the virus while feeding on infected rodents and subsequently pass it to humans during a blood meal that lasts several days.
Transmission occurs only after the tick has been attached for at least 24 hours. The virus is present in the tick’s salivary glands and enters the host’s bloodstream during feeding. The risk of infection therefore correlates with the duration of attachment, the density of infected ticks in a given area, and the prevalence of the virus in local rodent reservoirs.
Epidemiological data show an average annual incidence of 0.5–1.5 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in endemic regions of Central and Eastern Europe. Outbreaks are seasonal, peaking between May and October, when nymphs and adult ticks are most active. Children and unvaccinated adults constitute the majority of reported cases.
Clinical manifestation ranges from a mild, flu‑like prodrome to severe encephalitis with neurological deficits. Approximately 30 % of infected individuals develop central nervous system involvement; of those, 10 % experience lasting motor or cognitive impairment, and a mortality rate of 1–2 % is observed in severe cases.
Preventive actions include:
- Regular inspection of skin after outdoor activities in forested or grassy areas.
- Prompt removal of attached ticks with fine tweezers, grasping the head close to the skin and pulling straight upward.
- Use of repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin and clothing.
- Wearing long sleeves, trousers, and tick‑proof socks when entering tick habitats.
- Vaccination against TBE for residents and travelers to high‑risk zones; the vaccine series provides long‑term protection when completed according to schedule.
Early recognition of symptoms and immediate medical evaluation improve outcomes, as antiviral therapy is limited and supportive care remains the main treatment modality.