Tick bites and TBE virus

Ticks and TBE virus

You may have heard on the news that there is a risk of infection with the TBE virus in two new areas on Zealand. One of these areas is Feddet. The risk assessment is based on the fact that over the past 3 years, 2 people have been infected in the area. In total, approximately 12 to 25 people are infected per year. years throughout Denmark.

Consultant physician and researcher from Statens Serum Institut, Anders Fomsgaard, emphasizes that the designation of Stensved and Feddet as possible new risk areas does not mean that there is a high risk of becoming infected with the TBE virus in the areas. Because it is very rare for humans to become infected with the virus.

According to Anders Fomsgaard, based on natural conditions and the impact of the climate, it is possible that the flooding of Feddet, which occurred during the storm surge in October last year, may have changed the future situation and perhaps even reduced the risk again.

“There are many variables that come into play in these new areas. On Bornholm it seems to be more stable. At least it has been like that in the forest areas for at least the last 60 years. But elsewhere we’ve seen it appear more fleetingly, only to disappear again,” he explains.

“Even though the number of infections has increased, the numbers are still very small. It’s important to keep the proportions in mind. For example, there are 10 times fewer cases of TBE than Lyme disease,” he points out.

What can you do yourself?

When you’re heading out into the woods or perhaps walking in some tall grass and similar places, you can take advantage:

• Wearing boots and long pants
• Wearing sweaters with long sleeves
• Check for ticks on clothes frequently and remove them
• Spray mosquito repellent on socks and ankles.

When should you pay extra attention to tick and tick bites?

You need to be extra vigilant when you’ve been in areas with dense vegetation: walking through dense vegetation such as bushes or tall grass increases the risk of being bitten by ticks or tick bites.

What to do if you have a tick or tick bite

If you have been bitten by a tick or tick bite, it is important to act quickly and correctly to reduce the risk of any complications. Here is a guide on how to proceed:

1. Remove the tick correctly: Use flat tweezers or a tick remover to remove the tick as quickly as possible. Place the tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly and evenly in a straight line upwards. Avoid twisting or turning as this can cause the teeth’s mouth parts to stick to the skin. If you don’t have tweezers or pliers available, you can also remove the tick with your fingernails. The most important thing is that it is removed as soon as possible.
2. Clean the area: After removing the tick, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
3. Watch for symptoms: Look out for any symptoms of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease. These can include rash, fever, fatigue, muscle pain and headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
4. Save the tick: If possible, store the tick in a small container or plastic bag. This can be useful if you develop symptoms later on, as the doctor can use the tick to identify any diseases.
5. Consult a doctor: If you are unsure if the tick has been removed correctly or if you develop symptoms of illness, seek medical advice. A doctor can evaluate your condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Always remember to be aware of ticks, especially if you’ve been in tall grass areas outside the resort where there is a higher risk of being bitten.

Important phone numbers:

Legg aid within general. Opening hours: +45 56 71 31 30
Lægerne Faxe, Rønnedevej 31, 4640 Faxe.

Poison Control Line: 82 12 12 12 12

Contact the Poison Control Line if you need advice and help with poisoning.

For example, it could be:

• Plants and mushroom poisoning
• chemicals
• food poisoning
• intoxicants
• snake bites, bee stings or wasp stings
• medicine poisoning