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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Tick-borne encephalitis and its global importance

Gerhard Dobler
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11

B Tel: +49 89 992692 3974

C Fax: +49 89 992692 3983

D Email: gerharddobler@bundeswehr.org

Microbiology Australia 39(4) 191-194 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA18061
Published: 24 October 2018

Abstract

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most important tick-transmitted human viral disease in Europe and Asia with up to 10000 human cases annually. The etiologic agents of TBE are the three subtypes of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae. The Far-Eastern subtype and the Siberian subtype are both mainly transmitted by Ixodes persulcatus; the European subtype is mainly transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. Besides tick bite, TBEV can be transmitted by unpasteurised milk from goat, sheep and cattle during the viremic phase of infection by the oral route of infection (alimentary form of TBE). There is no treatment for TBE available, but there are effective and well tolerated vaccines against TBE, which are recommended for people living or travelling to endemic countries with a risk of infection.


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