Alarm in Saxony: Almost twice as many TBE cases-vaccination urgently recommended!

Alarm in Saxony: Almost twice as many TBE cases-vaccination urgently recommended!

In the past tick season, 63 cases of early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) were registered in Saxony. This represents an increase of almost 100 percent compared to the previous year 2023. The Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs speaks of a "significant increase" that should alert the population. Of the 63 people affected, 60 people were infected in the Free State of Saxony, a sick person came from another state and two from Austria. The symptoms vary: 36 sufferers suffered from flu disease signs and headaches, while 27 people had neurological symptoms, including inflammation in the brain.

to protect the population, Social Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) advises the TBE vaccination, which is considered the best protection against serious disease courses. Vaccination for people who are active in risk areas in nature is particularly recommended. With the exception of Leipzig as well as the districts of Leipzig and North Saxony, all other regions of Saxony are classified as risk areas. This could be important information for hikers and nature lovers who are in these areas.

vaccination rate and risk groups

The vaccination rate against TBE in Saxony is currently only about 19 percent. This number is alarming because most TBE sufferers of the past five years have not been or were incomplete. Only one person, a 65-year-old, had complete vaccination protection according to the reports. The lack of willingness to vaccinate helps to ensure that the number of TBE cases in Saxony has increased so drastically.

In addition, the reports note that a total of 1,628 cases of Lyme Borreliosis were reported in Germany in 2024 in Germany, another disease transmitted by ticks. Ticks can also transmit other pathogens such as rickettsia, Babesia or the Alongshan virus, which usually cause mild symptoms. For personal protection, it is advisable to wear protective clothing and use anti-tick agents. In the case of a tick bite, it is advisable to prevent a Borrelia infection that is usually treated with antibiotics.

Special protective measures for children

children are particularly at risk of being stung by ticks. It was found that children usually develop TBE more easily than adults, but in some cases they can also be severely affected. In an analysis from Baden-Württemberg, the course of the disease was classified as serious in 25 percent of children, while this was true in adults in 50 percent of cases. Neurological consequential damage occurred in children only in about 2 percent of cases, corresponding to 30 to 40 percent in adults.

The vaccination recommendation for children should be similar to adults at the risk of exposure. For children, two vaccines from the age of one year are approved. Because of possible side effects such as fever, which can occur in 15 percent of one to two year old children and 5 percent of three to eleven year olds, parents should carefully weigh up the benefits and risks of vaccination.

The need for vaccination is underlined by the increasing number of cases, and it is important that the population is made aware of the risks. All the more, both adults and children in risk areas should be adequately protected by TBE vaccination.

For detailed information ZUMFSME vaccination see mdr , n-tv and rki .