As of: March 1, 2024, 1:12 p.m
By: Katarina Amtmann
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The RKI classifies almost all of Bavaria as a risk area.
Because of the mild temperatures, the tick season starts earlier and the animals are already active.
Munich - With the awakening of spring, the ticks also return.
This year their season appears to be starting unusually early, prompting the health minister to issue a warning.
Judith Gerlach, the Bavarian Minister of Health, recommends vaccination against meningitis transmitted by the insects in view of the early tick season.
“Due to the mild winter, ticks are already active,” said the CSU politician in a statement on Wednesday (February 28).
The first cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) have already occurred in Bavaria.
Bavaria is a tick risk area: “TBE vaccination rates need improvement”
Since the beginning of the year, five TBE cases have been reported to the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL), two more than in the same period last year, Gerlach added.
TBE is a serious disease that causes inflammation of the meninges, brain or spinal cord.
“The TBE vaccination rates in Bavaria are in need of improvement overall.
Only a good fifth of adults have a current TBE vaccination protection,” said Gerlach.
She also warned that children are at risk.
In Bavaria, only around 37 percent of those starting school are vaccinated against TBE.
Bavaria is a tick risk area (archive image).
© IMAGO / imagebroker
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Bavaria as a tick risk area: Stiko recommends vaccination against TBE
In order to build up effective protection for the current season, people without vaccination protection should start the vaccination series now if possible, the minister warned.
Only after the second vaccination is there protection - for a limited time.
Three vaccinations within a year are required for complete protection.
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The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) recommends TBE vaccination for people who could come into contact with ticks in risk areas.
Since almost all of Bavaria is classified as a TBE risk area by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), vaccination is publicly recommended in Bavaria without any geographical restrictions.
In 2023, a total of 233 TBE cases were reported to the LGL.
That is 33 cases fewer than in 2022. In 2021 there were 188 cases.
Ticks transmit TBE and Lyme disease
A TBE infection often initially manifests itself with flu-like symptoms.
Some of those affected later develop inflammation of the meninges, brain or spinal cord.
Some patients suffer from long-term consequences such as paralysis.
The disease can also be fatal.
In addition to the TBE virus, ticks can also transmit the Lyme disease pathogen.
This disease occurs much more frequently.
The first sign of Lyme disease is often redness around the injection site; nerves, joints and the heart can later be affected by the bacteria.
The disease can be treated with antibiotics.
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