Travel Health
Tick-borne encephalitis
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infectious disease that can cause inflammation of the brain or its lining. In German it is called FSME; in English, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
Source: National Coordination Centre for Travellers' Health (LCR). Last updated May 2, 2024 · Open the LCR page
What is Tick-borne encephalitis?
According to LCR (Dutch travel advice)
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infectious disease that can cause inflammation of the brain or its lining. In German it is called FSME; in English, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
You can get tick-borne encephalitis in forests in Europe, Russia and parts of Central Asia. It has also occurred in the Netherlands for several years.
Small wild mammals, especially rodents, can carry the virus. Ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus) infect animals and sometimes people. Ixodes ricinus can also transmit Lyme disease. Ticks live in forests, dunes, heath, meadows, parks and gardens. You cannot infect other people.
Most people barely become ill; some become seriously ill with inflammation of the brain or meninges. You usually feel flu-like at first, then headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes severe headache, memory loss, paralysis or reduced consciousness follow.
Prevent tick bites with clothing that covers the skin and an insect repellent. Remove a tick as soon as possible with a tick remover: infection can start soon after the bite. You can be vaccinated; whether you need it depends on where you go, how long and what you do. Ask a travel clinic for advice.
According to WHO
- Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in eastern, central and northern Europe, and in northern China, Mongolia and the Russian Federation. About 10,000–12,000 clinical cases are reported each year; the true number is higher.
- Infection is almost always from a tick, rarely from unpasteurised milk. There is no person-to-person spread.
- There is no specific treatment. Immunisation is the most effective protection; WHO recommends it for all ages in highly endemic areas.
Depends on your trip
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- China
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kirgistan (Kirgizië)
- Korea, Republic of (Republiek Korea)
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Moldova, Republic of
- Mongolia
- Norway
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
Frequently asked questions
- What is Tick-borne encephalitis?
- Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infectious disease that can cause inflammation of the brain or its lining. In German it is called FSME; in English, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
- Which countries is Tick-borne encephalitis relevant for?
- LCR mentions Tick-borne encephalitis for 33 destinations, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Denmark. Open a country for the full advice.
- Is vaccination against Tick-borne encephalitis required?
- LCR lists Tick-borne encephalitis mainly as advice, not as a required entry vaccination. Whether you need it depends on your trip.
- When should I get travel vaccinations?
- Book a travel clinic appointment 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need more than one dose.
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