TBE numbers are increasing: Upper Austria again leader in infections!

TBE numbers are increasing: Upper Austria again leader in infections!

Oberösterreich, Österreich - Last year, the cases of early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) rose sharply in Austrian hospitals. According to a report by Kleine Zeitung there were a total of 179 cases, and in 2020, the first year of pandemy, even 216. Particular trend is particularly evident in over 50 year olds who were mostly treated in hospitals. In addition, contrary to the widespread assumption that children are hardly affected.

The TBE vaccination has already started to counteract this increase. Rainer Gattringer, medical director at the Wels-Grieskirchen Clinic, emphasizes that the number of unreported cases of TBE diseases is probably much higher. Easy courses are often not recognized as such. Upper Austria leads the list of TBE infections with 49-hospitalized cases, followed by Styria with 22 and Salzburg on 19th. This year, a particularly early increase in the diseases was registered, the first affected person was already noticeable in March. "So TBE is becoming more and more a year -round disease," says Gattringer.

severe course of the disease

The data show that more than half of the sufferers (53 percent) suffer from severe neurological symptoms such as meningitis or spinal cord inflammation. In the worst case, a complete recovery is not possible. Fortunately, as in the previous year, there was no death in 2024. AOK indicates that TSMe can be prevented by regular vaccinations, the first refreshment is needed every five years as long as one is under 60 years. Over 60-year-olds should be vaccinated every three years. The high number of cases underline urgency, especially for older people and children who should protect themselves from this potentially difficult infection.