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Fuschle St Gilgen

I have been reading about ticks in this area of Austria. We will be going late September/Early October. Is this a real concern? What areas do we avoid? Thanks!

Posted by
233 posts

There was a post today in the Trip Advisor Austria Forum, not specific to St Gilgen, that you may want to check out.

Posted by
5362 posts

Be cautious in grassy and wooded areas if the weather is still warm. Most locals get a series of vaccinations, which is not practical for a tourist. If you find a tick on you, remove it carefully and watch the bite for a few days. If it forms rings, then seek medical advice. Very few ticks, however, carry the disease, so your risk is exceptionally low. Do not let this issue bother you at all.

Posted by
1875 posts

Austrians are advised to be vaccinated against Meningitis (FSME) which is a life-threatening disease. But less than a half percent of ticks carry this disease, and not everybody gets infected.

On the other hand, between 20 and 30 % of ticks carry Borreliosis. It is not life-threatenig, but you should seek medical advice immediately. There is no vaccination against it available, but antibiotics will fight the disease.

Here is a map of tick infested areas: https://zecken.at/verbreitung/#oesterreich

Posted by
4684 posts

I disagree with Emma about vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (FSME is a German abbreviation which US doctors might not know) not being practical for tourists. It's possible to give the doses on an accelerated schedule which gives imperfect but pretty good immunity, and some guidebooks recommend it if you're going to be doing a lot of hiking.

Posted by
5362 posts

I think you mean Emily. For a casual non-hiking tourist, a vaccine is totally unnecessary. Many Austrians don’t even get it. I had a very bad reaction to my first round, for example, so I’ve been advised not to vaccinate again.

Posted by
2 posts

Hello

I am new in the forum . I ve found by chance. Next week i plan to go to Samzkammergut( St.Gilgen and district) to hike and travel for a couple of days.
I ve read a threat of ticks now and i am anxious. I will be alone and i dont know how should i avoid? Should I wear long trousers? Where should i not go?

Thanks and kind regards

Posted by
1275 posts

If you stay to the hiking paths and are not wading though tall foliage blazing a new path I would not worry over it. If you are in the higher elevations at or above the tree line no worry at all. I do not think you need long pants or bloused trousers. If you feel more comfortable spay your legs with insect repellant and check yourself after hiking. There is no army of ticks (Zecke) waiting for you.