The tick while walking in Austria
Austria is a country with beautiful nature reserves and mountains. That is why it is a very popular destination for hikers and cyclists. However, visiting Austrian nature does entail risks. Austria is full of ticks that can be infected with the virus that causes Lyme disease or Tick-borne Encephalitis. So be careful in Austria!
Tick-borne encephalitis/TBE in Austria
People planning a hiking or camping holiday in Austria are advised to get a vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis, also known as TBE. This virus is spread by ticks that are common in the wooded areas of Central and Eastern Europe. TBE can cause meningitis. Many people who are infected with this virus often do not even notice it at first. Symptoms of the disease usually occur a week after the tick bite. Tick-borne encephalitis often starts with flu and fever. About a third of patients then also experience headaches and meningitis. Other symptoms include dizziness and stiffness of the neck, back and shoulders. One percent of patients die from the consequences of TBE.
Lyme disease in Austria
Just like in the Netherlands, there are many ticks in Austria that are infected with the Borrelia bacteria. These ticks can transmit Lyme disease to humans by biting, which can in very rare cases also have fatal consequences. Lyme disease is a difficult disease to treat and can cause serious complaints, so be on your guard. Check regularly for ticks on your body and remove a tick immediately if you find one.
Vaccination for a holiday to Austria
If you are going on holiday to Austria for more than four weeks and are planning to go into nature, it is wise to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis/TBE. Especially if you are going between March and November, because that is when the ticks are most active. So you do not need to be afraid of ticks in Austria during a winter sports holiday. The vaccination consists of three injections. It is best to get the first injection six months before the holiday, because it works better then. However, it is also possible to start the vaccination three weeks before departure.