Health: The early summer tick is on the rise

health
Early summer tick is on the rise

Ticks like to bite at the hairline.

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The tick is already up to mischief in spring. The risk areas for TBE continue to increase. This is the most important information.

Ticks become active from temperatures of eight degrees. The perennial animals lurk in tall grass, especially in spring, but also in autumn. Strollers must be absolutely careful: in addition to Lyme disease, ticks can also transmit early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) – a serious infectious disease. The most important things at a glance.

Typical TBE symptoms

The TBE virus is found in the tick’s saliva and can be transmitted to humans. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) 0.1 to five percent of ticks in TBE risk areas carry the virus. Just one bite can lead to infection. Basically, the longer the tick sucks, the more likely the risk of becoming infected with the pathogen.

In the worst case, TBE can attack the meninges and affect the central nervous system. However, not every infection leads to severe disease. Typical signs are fever and headache and body aches. In worse cases, the symptoms worsen and the neck can become stiff, even meningitis and damage to the nerve roots.

More and more risk areas in Germany

The number of TBE risk areas in Germany is increasing. The RKI has classified Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, southern Hesse, south-eastern Thuringia and Saxony as risky. But there are also individual regions at risk in Central Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony and Saarland.

In March, the Epidemiological Bulletin added five more areas: Dessau-Roßlau is the first risk area in Saxony-Anhalt. The districts of Dillingen an der Donau, Fulda, Central Saxony and Weimarer Land were also added in 2021. According to the RKI, 704 TBE diseases were recorded for 2020 – the highest value so far since data collection began in 2001.

How to protect yourself from ticks

The RKI warns against long stays in tall grass, bushes or undergrowth and recommends wearing long, closed clothing. Sturdy shoes, long trousers and tops with long sleeves are suitable. Strollers should also tuck their trouser legs into their socks. The animals can be recognized more quickly on light-colored clothing. Ticks prefer to bite where they are protected. The hairline, ears, neck, armpits, elbows, belly button, hollow of the knees and the genital area are mostly affected. These areas should be thoroughly searched after walking outdoors. A shower also removes the animals if they have not yet bitten.

Remove the tick correctly

If a tick has struck, it is important to remove the animal as quickly as possible in order to minimize the risk of infection. But you shouldn’t be hasty. Tweezers will help with the removal. It is important to pull the animal as a whole straight and carefully out of the body. The RKI advises not to sprinkle the tick with oil or glue beforehand. This could irritate the animal and cause it to release additional saliva. Then thoroughly disinfect the bite site. If symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted.

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