How many encephalitic ticks have been recorded in statistics? - briefly
About 13 000 tick‑borne encephalitis cases are reported each year in Europe and Asia, according to the most recent surveillance data. The figure reflects confirmed infections recorded by national health authorities.
How many encephalitic ticks have been recorded in statistics? - in detail
Epidemiological surveillance across Europe, Russia and parts of Asia provides the most reliable estimates of tick‑borne encephalitis incidence. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) records an average of 12,200 confirmed cases per year in the European Union and European Economic Area, with annual fluctuations between 10,000 and 14,500. National reports from the Russian Federation list 5,300–5,800 cases each year, representing the largest single‑country burden. Combined, these regions account for roughly 17,500–18,000 reported infections annually.
Additional contributions come from the Baltic states, Central Asian republics and the Caucasus. Recent data (2021‑2023) show:
- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: 1,200–1,500 cases per year.
- Poland and the Czech Republic: 800–1,100 cases per year.
- Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: 300–500 cases per year.
The World Health Organization aggregates regional reports and estimates a global total of 15,000–20,000 diagnosed cases each year, acknowledging under‑reporting in areas lacking systematic monitoring.
Trend analysis indicates a gradual increase of 2–3 % per annum in most endemic zones, driven by expanding tick habitats and climate‑related shifts in vector activity. Surveillance systems rely on laboratory confirmation of TBEV RNA or specific IgM/IgG antibodies, and case definitions are harmonized by the ECDC and the Russian Ministry of Health to ensure comparability.
In summary, current statistical records attribute between 15,000 and 20,000 confirmed tick‑borne encephalitis infections to the most affected regions worldwide, with Europe and Russia together contributing the majority of documented cases.