Tick ​​alarm in Rhineland-Palatinate: How to protect yourself from TBE!

Tick ​​alarm in Rhineland-Palatinate: How to protect yourself from TBE!

This summer the tick population in Germany has reached dizzying levels. Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland are particularly affected. Ute Mackenstedt, tick expert from the University of Hohenheim, describes the situation as “very severe”. A mild winter meant that the small bloodsuckers, especially the common woodbuck, were not decimated by low temperatures and are now active all year round. The challenges that this plague brings with it are great, because ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), as the Borkener Zeitung reports.

The weather conditions in recent years have significantly encouraged the growth of the tick population. Milder weather means fewer tick deaths in the winter, which increases the activity of these parasites. Tick ​​season used to be clearly defined, but now there are hardly any breaks in the activity of these small and dangerous animals. This also means that the number of TBE cases in Germany has been rising continuously since 2016. In 2024, 686 cases have already been registered, the second highest number since the surveys began in 2001.

Diseases and risk areas

The spread of TBE areas is reaching alarming proportions. 183 districts are currently classified as risk areas, including prominent representatives such as the Birkenfeld district in Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarpfalz district in Saarland. Researchers warn that the expansion of these risk areas will continue from south to north and new areas could be added in the coming years. This is also confirmed by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which has documented an increasing risk from TBE. [WDR](https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/zecken-borreliose-fsme-risk areas-100.html) reports that the current maps published by the RKI show a worrying trend that could lead to an increased risk nationwide.

The infections are not limited to the officially designated risk areas; TBE infections can also occur outside of these areas, although less frequently. This trend is particularly evident in Sweden: there the number of TBE cases has doubled within a year, which has caused great concern among health experts. Martin Schulze from mycare.de predicts an intensive year for ticks this year and urgently recommends preventative measures.

Preventive measures

The right clothing plays a crucial role in protecting against ticks. Closed shoes, long pants and long-sleeved clothing are recommended to minimize contact with the ticks. Anti-insect spray should also be used to reduce the risk of a bite. After excursions into nature, it is important to examine your body and clothing thoroughly, as ticks need time to bite. Borrelia, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, is only transmitted after about 12 to 15 hours. Reacting quickly after a sting is therefore essential.

The symptoms of tick-borne diseases are varied. TBE can cause flu-like symptoms, which in severe cases can lead to paralysis. In Lyme disease, a typical sign after a tick bite is redness. The situation therefore requires attention, and good information is the be-all and end-all. According to [fr.de](https://www.fr.de/verbraucher/aktuelle-auswerte-fuer-zecken-risk areas-hier-ist-die-fähr-in-deutschland-am-groessten-93717977.html), we should therefore prepare for an intensive tick year, especially in view of the increased number of cases and the spread of these dangerous parasites.

Overall, it is clear that anyone who is active outdoors should be aware of the risks and take appropriate measures. Many infections can be avoided with a combination of proper clothing, consistent checks after nature visits and quick action in the event of a tick bite.