Key message 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.  

People who plan to visit TBE risk areas in Europe and Russia should consult their local doctor or immunisation services for advice about TBE immunisation.

Infected dairy animals can shed the TBE virus in their milk and there are documented cases of TBE transmission through infected milk, which is one reason why one should not consume unpasteurised milk or dairy products in TBE risk areas.

The risk of tick-borne infections is reduced by avoiding tick bites and removing ticks from the body. Ticks live on the ground and climb 20 to 70 cm onto grasses and bushes where they find hosts with the help of temperature-sensitive cells. The bite is painless, and often you will not sense a tick moving on your skin.

The best ways to avoid tick bites are to: 

• use DEET*-containing insect repellent on exposed skin;
• wear protective clothing with long sleeves and long trousers tucked into socks or boots; and
• treat socks and trouser legs with permethrin-containing insecticide.

Remove ticks from your skin immediately. Ticks prefer soft skin and hairy areas. Always inspect the entire body for ticks after outdoor activities and remove ticks by pulling them straight out with tweezers or a specially designed tick removal tool, or use your fingers if you do not have the appropriate tools at hand.
 

* N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide