Key messages
1. Ticks can carry disease
Ticks are abundant in woodlands all across Europe from early spring to late autumn. They live by sucking blood from animals and occasionally bite humans. Read more
2. Tick-borne diseases are preventable
There are effective and safe vaccines against the TBE virus, and immunisation is recommended for people who live in TBE risk areas or who frequently visit forests and grasslands in TBE risk areas. Read more
3. Tick-borne diseases are found only in certain geographical areas in Europe
The risk of contracting a tick-borne infection is determined by the overall number of ticks in the area (tick density), the proportion of ticks in the area that carry disease (tick infection rate), and human behaviour (exposure). People engaged in recreational or occupational outdoor activities in a risk area are at increased risk of tick bites. Read more