Tick-borne encephalitis in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France...

There is no need to travel to get tick-borne diseases. Most of us can pick up a tick by walking outside into our yards. This year, ticks have increased drastically due to all the rain and the warm weather. It's really bad. You should take precautions no matter where you are. I got Lyme disease 2 years ago just from gardening and being out in the yard, and now I never go outside at length without spraying myself with Deet, and making sure I'm covered up.

Interestingly, I just got finished reading this article from the WSJ about how bad it's gotten this year: https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/tick-season-summer-2025-tips-1b471028?st=aEZfz6&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink (article unlocked)

t.p3rkins, I do understand that you are talking about tick-borne encephalitis, which is not found in the US. But I still thought it was worth mentioning. :-)

Mardee, you are absolutely right. We are lucky to not have tick-borne encephalitis in the USA yet. And there are two major differences between the tick illnesses we have and TBE:
- Most of our tick illnesses are bacteria-borne and can be treated with antibiotics. TBE is a virus and there is no treatment, other than supportive measures.
- If you get a tick bite here, it is believed that if you remove the tick within about 24 hours of being bitten, the chances of getting Lyme are reduced. However, if you are bitten by a tick carrying TBE, there is no "grace period" to being infected.

I'm posting this because travelers to these areas should know about it and take care!!

I was on the Alpine tour last year in early June and although I looked into the vaccine instead took my usual hiking precautions- sticking to the middle of the trails, wearing pants with elastic ankles over my ankle-high boots (or leggings tucked in) and long sleeved tops, tucked in, too. I like to wear glove liners in summer, to cover my hands. I had DEET wipes in my backpack but didn't end up using them. And inspected myself when finished.
I plan to do the same for Scotland this early fall, where I'll be in the Highlands and islands. I have a hat with mosquito netting I'll add since it packs flat and weighs so little.
I think being proactive and sensible goes a long way- wearing shorts and a short-sleeved tee while tromping through a field is inviting later regret! It's harder at home just going about your daily life- especially if you have a dog!

I've mentioned this before on another post but I got the 2 doses of the vaccine for tick borne encephalitis before I left for Austria June 1.
I live in North Carolina and Walgreens pharmacy was able to order the 2 doses,to administer 2 weeks apart, Medicare paid so it cost me nothing.
I'm very familiar with ticks and the diseases they carry in the US, but the encephalitis in Europe is different as others have said because transmission is from a bite and does not require the 24-36 hours attachment. Since encephalitis is a virus it can't be treated with antibiotics like Lyme or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
I'm currently in Sweden where TBE is also endemic especially in the natural areas grass and woods around Stockholm.

I live in Wengen, and a few months after moving here my wife got bit by a tick. So they are around. Since then we both got the vaccine.

I was talking to my daughter last night about this, as we are planning a trip to Scandinavia in July next summer.

She is a medical provider and told me about another tick-borne virus called the Powassan virus, which is prevalent in the United States and Canada, and in some parts of Russia and Europe. It was initially discovered in the late 50's in Powassan, Canada (hence the name). Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness, but it also can cause severe disease, including encephalitis, paralysis and meningitis. Symptoms include confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures.

Most cases in the United States occur in the northeast and Great Lakes regions during tick season. Unfortunately, unlike TBE, there are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Powassan virus disease. https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/about/index.html

One more reason to dress appropriately and wear insect repellent, as t.p3rkins mentioned above.

It's harder at home just going about your daily life- especially if you have a dog!

Very much so, Bon Voyage. As I said, I got Lyme Disease just from weeding and feeding the chickens. Basically just being outside. I'm not much of a hiker, but that doesn't save you from exposure.

I would also mention that not only should you dress appropriately, but if I've been out in the yard weeding or anything like that for any amount of time, when I come in, I immediately take a hot shower, which hopefully will get rid of any that have not yet latched on.

My daughter got Lyme's from a tick she acquired in our back yard in metro Minnesota.

I got Lyme's from a tick in Door County, Wisconsin.

My husband got a tick bite in Santiago at a campground popular with Camino walkers. A doctor from Austria was in our tour group. He was very concerned and explained the presence of TBE; we were to take it seriously. We're from Northern California that has lots of Lymes disease, so we already knew to be concerned. The doctor prescribed a couple doses of doxycycline. I shared the info with a handful of friends who would by hiking the Camino.

I spray with permethrin our shoes, clothes, daypacks, pretty much everything we wear outdoors. We so far have not seen any tics after using.

This is the product we use
https://www.rei.com/product/768970/sawyer-permethrin-pump-spray-24-oz

It has not stained our melted out clothes. Obviously test before using.

My wife and I just returned from an early June RS My way Alpine trip and spent many hours hiking around wengen and mürren. We both found a few ticks on legs, arms, and one on my neck after the wengen to tramelbach falls trail. She called ahead and got a Rx for Lyme treatment. I didn’t worry much but after reading these posts perhaps I should have. No subsequent problems or symptoms.