Attention, tick alarm! New risk areas and dangers for children!

Attention, tick alarm! New risk areas and dangers for children!

A mild winter has ensured that the tick population will probably increase in Brandenburg and all of Germany this summer. This reports, among other things, the Frankfurter Rundschau , which already indicates that the first cases of early summer-meningoenephalitis (TBE) were observed. This increase in ticks could be particularly problematic for families with small children, because children are particularly susceptible to tick stitches at certain parts of the body such as the neck and behind the ears.

in Brandenburg, specifically in the Elbe-Elster district, new TBE risk areas were shown. A total of 183 circles in Germany are now considered such risk areas. According to information from wdr , the FSME areas spread from south to north, which increases the danger situation for the population. Ticks are active in Germany all year round, and the climate crisis contributes to the expansion of their habitats, which researchers at the Hanover Tierarems University Foundation confirm.

The fight against Zeckensticks

parents should exhort their children for caution and regularly search them for ticks. The best protection? A vaccination against TBE! As early as one year, children can be vaccinated against this dangerous viral infection, with basic immunization consists of three vaccinations and a refreshment is necessary every five years. In contrast, however, there is no vaccine against Lyme disease, which is also transferred by ticks and is reported in nine federal states in Germany, whereby the highest danger in Bavaria. It is therefore advisable to rely on preventive measures here too.

bright clothing facilitates the detection of ticks, while long clothing and closed shoes offer an additional protective layer. Supplementary insect protection can also be used, but should be child -friendly - the active ingredient deet is not recommended for children under the age of three. Cacking bites should be removed quickly, with tweezers or special tick cards without squeezing the animals.

The threat from TBE and Borreliosis

The Morgenpost points out that TBE-viren is immediately transmitted at the stitch. In comparison, Borreliosis bacteria need several hours to get to the human organism. Symptoms for Lyme disease can include ring-shaped redness, fever, tiredness and muscle and headache, while TBE symptoms can only occur up to 20 days after the stitch. The good news? Only about 1.4 % of the people who are infected with Lyme disease actually develop.

The situation remains tense. With the increase in TBE cases-in 2024 686 TBE diseases nationwide were registered nationwide-it is crucial to draw the population aware of the risks and convey appropriate protective measures. Families in Brandenburg in particular should be close to the heart of protecting their children and vaccinating at an early stage. Because one thing is clear: a courageous action can prevent worse things!