Three deaths from tick-borne encephalitis have been reported

According to Aušra Bartulienė, an epidemiologist at ULAC, the incidence of EE has a pronounced seasonality, which is related to the activity of ticks and the more frequent presence of the population in nature. The seasonal increase in the incidence of EE is recorded in June-October. More than 80% is registered during this period. in all patients with tick-borne encephalitis.

“People who spend a lot of time in nature are at high risk of becoming infected. These are foresters, hunters, field workers, berry pickers, mushroom pickers, farmers, tourists, athletes (runners, counselors), soldiers. Encephalitis Transmitted by ticks is more common in adults, with the highest incidences in the age groups 45-54, 55-64 and 65-74. The disease tends to become more severe in the elderly, residual phenomena of the disease are observed with more frequently ”, points out A. Bartulienė.

Tick-borne encephalitis is a serious natural focal viral disease caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (VEE). This disease spreads the virus Ixodes mites of the genusRicinus, I persulcatus), which are widespread throughout the territory of Lithuania. When an infected mite draws blood, the virus enters the human body and infects it. EE can also be transmitted through unpasteurized cow’s or goat’s milk infected with the tick-borne encephalitis virus. However, these cases are rare.

The incubation period for EE lasts from 2 to 28 days, with an average of 7 to 14 days. At first, the disease manifests itself in fever, bones, muscles, headaches, fatigue, weakness. Later meningitis, meningoencephalitis (severe headache, nausea and / or vomiting, stiff neck) develop. The disease is characterized by permanent phenomena that sometimes lead to disability. Mortality from EE is 0.5 to 4%.

ULAC physicians remind us that the most reliable protection against tick-borne encephalitis is vaccines. The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine, which is up to 98% reliable, can be given to children as young as one year.

To prevent infection, ULAC doctors recommend:

• wear appropriate clothing; when you go to the forest, you should wear light clothing: warm clothing should have long sleeves with cuffs that fit well on the wrist; The trouser legs should also fit snugly against the body, that is, inside socks or boots. It is advisable to tie the head with a scarf or put on a steam-tight hat, hood;
• use repellants (tick repellants); repellants prepare open areas of the human body (face, neck, hands) and clothing used in nature;
• returning from nature (forest), inspect the body well; used clothes should be hung in an uninhabited place or in a sunny place (ticks quickly die in dry air);
• use only pasteurized or boiled cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or dairy products. When milk is boiled, the virus dies in 2 minutes, at 70 ºC – in 5 minutes;
• create unfavorable conditions for the life and development of ticks; Proper cleaning and maintenance of parks and forests is necessary: ​​sanitary deforestation, destruction of useless bushes, lawn mowing from early spring and removal of plant debris; This method is particularly applicable to urban parks, recreation areas, campgrounds, campsites, motels and other recreation areas for people.