The ‘Tick Alert’ campaign is warning about Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE), a viral disease contracted via the bite of an infected tick. It can lead to meningitis and in serious cases result in paralysis and death, with about one in 30 cases proving fatal.
The warning identifies 16 European countries where the TBE infected tick population is officially endemic and therefore poses a high risk to visitors who have not been immunised or taken bite prevention precautions. These include Slovenia where the Sava Bohinjska River is the venue for the 2006 European Fly Fishing Championships and Austria, where numerous lakes and rivers in the Alpine region are a haven for fly-fishing during the summer and the Gastein Valley which attracts thousands of anglers. At-risk groups include all visitors to rural areas of endemic countries, particularly those participating in outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and cycling. A number of measures can be taken to reduce the risk of infection: these include using an insect repellent, wearing trousers and long-sleeved clothing to cover all areas of exposed skin, regularly inspecting for tick bites and carefully removing any found. The disease can also be transmitted by the ingestion of unpasteurised milk which should be avoided.
However, the Foreign Office advises that visitors to TBE endemic regions seek inoculation advice from their local surgery or clinic – well before travelling. Immunisation against TBE is available from specialist travel health clinics and at GP surgeries and healthcare centres. Further information on the endemic regions of Europe and latest advice for travellers is available at www.masta.org/tickalert. |
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