Tick-borne Encephalitis—Need to know for Professionals outside Endemic Areas

Abstract

Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) is an often severe infection ecologically associated with an arbovirus, taxonomically with a flavivirus [1,2]. Usually it is transmitted to humans as accidental hosts by a tick “bite”—more precisely, a sting. Transmission through unpasteurized milk occasionally has been described [3]. Not only thousands of residents within endemic areas are affected by TBE [4], but also a substantial number of foreign visitors who expose themselves to risk mainly outside the center of large cities become patients [5]. Thus, it is essential that health professionals in all parts of the world are aware of the essentials of this infection.