Tick-borne encephalitis cases increase in Switzerland
Significantly more people sought treatment for tick bites or Lyme disease so far this year.
Keystone
A significant increase in cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) this year has been reported by the Federal Office of Public Health, which recommends getting vaccinated against the virus.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/ln
Some 150 people have already been infected with the virus – which in rare cases can be fatal – since the beginning of 2018, the health authorities said in a reportExternal link on Monday.
In June alone, 73 people fell ill with early-summer meningoencephalitis. This is a significant increase compared with figures for June for previous years, the health office wrote. From 2000 to 2017, between 46 and 109 cases were reported for the whole year.
The blood-sucking tick is very active early on this year, it said. Significantly more people had sought treatment for tick bites or Lyme disease so far this year.
By the end of June around 21,300 visits to the doctor concerned tick bites and 6,900 were acute cases of Lyme diseases, according to a health office projection.
In Switzerland, the tick season starts in March and ends in June, depending on the weather. The health office says ticks are found above all in deciduous forests with lush undergrowth and at an altitude of up to 1,500m.
Only a small proportion of ticks carry the TBE virus, which occurs only in certain areas of Switzerland.
TBE-infected ticks can cause the outbreak of two stages of the disease. During a first episode, which occurs seven to 14 days after the sting, patients suffer flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fever, fatigue or joint complaints.
In 5%-15% of those affected, a second stage of the illness develops, which can last for months and may involve symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. These symptoms can cause paralysis and leave permanent disabilities. About 1% of cases are fatal.
The health office recommends vaccination against the TBE virus for people from the age of six who live in an area where the disease is endemic.
Much more common than tick-borne encephalitis is Lyme diseases, which must be treated with antibiotics.
More
More
The ticks attack
This content was published on
Ticks are spreading more than usual this year in Switzerland. If not treated properly, their bite can cause serious diseases. Here’s how to recognise the symptoms and remove a tick.
This content was published on
A Swiss study suggests that the Gulf Stream hasn’t weakened yet, but it’s too early to sound the all-clear on future climate change.
Switzerland adopts EU rules to curb illegal air entry into Schengen
This content was published on
The Swiss government has approved EU rules on sharing passenger information to prevent air passengers from illegally entering the Schengen area.
Swiss skier dies after accident on Bernese Oberland slopes
This content was published on
An 80-year-old Swiss man died on Monday following an accident on a marked piste in the Adelboden-Lenk ski area in the Bernese Oberland.
International and Swiss experts call for new obesity guidelines
This content was published on
A group of global experts, including Swiss doctors, has issued a report calling for a new definition of obesity that goes beyond BMI.
Iran and EU discuss nuclear issues, Russia and the Middle East in Switzerland
This content was published on
After meeting with French, German, and British representatives on Monday, Iran continued its talks with the EU representative in Geneva.
This content was published on
Lucerne-based steelmaker Swiss Steel has confirmed it will cut 130 jobs in Emmenbrücke, despite the emergency aid promised by Switzerland’s parliament.
Swiss SGS and French Bureau Veritas eye $35 billion merger
This content was published on
The Swiss inspection firm SGS has confirmed it is in talks with the French company Bureau Veritas about a potential merger of nearly $35 billion.
European committee raises alarm over police violence in western Switzerland
This content was published on
A Council of Europe committee is concerned about police practices in western Switzerland, citing “allegations of physical mistreatment” against detainees.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Tick bites and Lyme disease on the rise
This content was published on
Physicians in Switzerland have seen a sharp increase in the number of tick bites as well as cases of Lyme disease this year.
This content was published on
The current hot summer in Switzerland is being enjoyed not just by people but also by wasps, bees and mosquitos. The organisation is therefore advising people to take precautionary measures, such as not drinking out of cans. The smallest insects cause the biggest problems, SUVA said on Tuesday. Wasps, bees and ticks cause some 20,000…
Meningitis cases from tick bites on the rise in Switzerland
This content was published on
More people in Switzerland have contracted meningitis from tick bites so far this year than at any point in the last decade, according to federal health officials. They are emphasising the need for vaccines to prevent the disease. Speaking with the SonntagsZeitung newspaper, Daniel Koch of the Federal Health Office called the increase in meningitis…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.