“Protecting Against TBE – Tips for Preventing Tick Bites and TBE Virus”

With a tick bite, the animal attaches itself to the skin and sucks up blood. A tick infected with TBE can transmit the disease as soon as it attaches itself to the skin. In contrast to Lyme disease, which is also transmitted by infected ticks, it does not help to remove the animal quickly and thus reduce the risk of infection. TBE virus ticks are mainly found in large parts of Central and Eastern Europe. Anyone traveling to a risk area and planning outdoor activities is advised to protect themselves.

Arming yourself against the small bloodsuckers is best done by making yourself inaccessible with protective clothing. By tucking the legs of the trousers into the socks, possibly wearing covering clothing and sturdy, high shoes, putting a cap on small children during a walk in the woods and opting for light-colored clothes that make ticks more visible. Insect repellent products are also recommended.

TBE occurs in at least 27 European countries, including holiday countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which are also popular with Belgians. Especially those who go hiking, sports or camping in nature run the risk of being bitten by a tick. In areas where ticks with the TBE virus occur, 9% of the animals appear to be infected. About 10,000 people contract the disease in Europe every year. In Belgium, the risk of infection with the TBE virus is very small. Between 2019 and 2021, 13 Belgians became infected: 10 of them after a trip abroad, 3 of them in their own country.