Epidemiology
This is an arbovirosis (caused by a Flavivirus) transmitted by tick bites.
The risk of infection is seasonal: from spring to autumn, i.e. during the period of tick activity. Ticks are present throughout Europe.
In Europe, tick-borne meningoencephalitis (also known as tick-borne encephalitis or TBE), is endemic in the wooded rural areas of several countries of central Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic).
In Scandinavia, Northern Italy, Northern Greece and France (Alsace-Lorraine, Vosges), a few cases have also been recorded.
Symptoms
The condition is generally completely harmless. After 1 to 2 weeks of incubation, TBE often begins with a flulike syndrome: fever, shivering, headaches and pain in the limbs.
In 20 to 30% of cases, it progresses to a more serious form characterised by meningitis with signs of effects on the central nervous system (difficulty in concentration, headaches, paralysis, etc.).
In 10 to 20% of cases, the serious form may cause permanent paralysis or tissue damage.
It is deadly in 1% of persons who develop the second phase.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment; however, in the event of recent exposure (tick bite in the last 96 hours), immunoglobulins can be used for protection (conditionally in France).
Prevention
1. Vaccination
There is a vaccine against TBE, Ticovac®.
This vaccine is recommended for persons who inhabit a region where it is endemic or those who are travelling to such an area, persons who spend a lot of time outdoors (joggers, hikers, hunters, mountain bikers, etc.).
It is recommended to perform this vaccine during the cold season in order to be well-protected during the warm season.
The vaccination regimen includes 3 injections : M0, between M1 and M3, then between M5 and M12 with a first recall within 3 years following the third dose. It also exists a child presentation from 1 year of age.
2. Prevention of tick bites
- Wearing clothing that covers the body, particularly the legs,
- use of skin repellents that are suited to temperate zones (Moustifluid Protective Body Lotion Temperates Zones).
- The use of insecticide for clothing (Moustifluid Lotion For Fabrics and Clothing Tropical Zones) is recommended in areas where it is endemic.