Attention, tick traps in Upper Austria: How to protect yourself now!

Attention, tick traps in Upper Austria: How to protect yourself now!

The tick season started early in Austria. According to Oe24.at , the first ticks were already spotted in February 2025. This has led to a warning by the chamber of pharmacists, which indicates the high risk of tick bites. Upper Austria is considered a hotspot for tick bites, where 51 of a total of 162 TBE cases in 2024 were already registered in this region.

The increased activity of the ticks is primarily favored by the higher temperatures. Ticks can often be found in green, moist and shady areas. These ideal conditions can be found particularly in the transition area from forest to meadow as well as on meadows, parks and in gardens. These small bloodsuckers are also moving in the bank areas of water, such as streams, rivers and lakes, where they often wait for low -hanging branches and bushes to find a host.

rising TBE cases

Development in Austria is also reflected in Germany, where Deutschesgesundheitportal.de forecast the second highest number in 2024 TBE cases could be recorded. The first TBE cases were reported in January 2025. The trend is alarming: 686 TBE cases in Germany in 2024, just behind the record year 2020 with 718 cases. The southern federal states are particularly affected, where most cases are registered. Also increasing figures can be observed in regions that have not yet been considered risk areas.

A reason for the increase in tick activity is climate change, which enables the ticks to survive mild winter and to be active all year round. A TBE vaccination is strongly recommended for people in risk areas, even if around 80 % of the population are already vaccinated in Austria. Vaccination protects individually, since TBE is not transmitted from person to person, and the number of illnesses only decrease static when the population is vaccinated.

protective measures

The recommended protective measures include TBE vaccination and wearing long, light clothing and closed footwear in potential tick areas. Regular checks on ticks are essential after stays in tick hotspots, especially on warm parts of the body such as armpits and back of the back of the knees. If there is a tick infestation, it is advisable to remove a tick or fine tweezers. It is important not to squeeze the tick to avoid transmission of pathogens.

For more information about ticks and the TSME you will find detailed information in the guidelines of the Environmental Bundesamt .