Is there a need for a travel vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis?

Summary 

Tick - borne encephalitis is a vector-borne disease primarily transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks. Clinical presentations range from mild meningitis to severe encephalitis with or without myelitis and may result in long-term neurological equelae or death. The disease can successfully be prevented through active immunization. BE is endemic in regions of at least 26 European countries. The risk of contracting TBE in the most affected countries has increased in the past 20 to 30 years, between 1974 and 2003, the number of reported clinical TBE cases increased by an appalling 400%, the only exception having been Austria. Because of increasing international travel streams of tourists from non-endemic countries to TBE risk areas, the infection is now becoming a more important issue of travel medicine.The risk depends on both the travelling season and the degree of unprotected outdoor exposure to forest areas (e.g. bicycling, camping, hiking, etc.). Tourists are by no means aware of the actual risk potential, especially when travelling to a knowingly ‘safe’ Europe. Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis may be required for some tourists, depending on travel destination and behaviour. Implementing general guidelines for the use of TBE travel vaccination should be put on the agenda for travel medicine.

Keywords: Tick-borne encephalitis, Vaccination, Traveler, Nature, Endemic area