Kerlik et al.
Slovakia reports highest occurrence of alimentary tick-borne encephalitis in Europe: Analysis of tick-borne encephalitis outbreaks in Slovakia during 2007-2016.
Travel Med. Infect. Dis., in press
Slovakia belongs to the countries with the highest number of reported TBE cases in Europe caused by alimentary infection. Although two thirds of people are living in TBE endemic areas, the vaccination rate overall is less than 2% in Slovakia. Consumption of traditional products from unpasteurized sheep and goat milk is common in Slovakia and is thought to have alleged health benefits on the human immune system. In the time period from 2007 to 2016, 26 confirmed alimentary outbreaks have been reported (with two to 44 patients each). About 17% of all TBE cases during the observed time period were caused by alimentary virus transmission. Most cases occurred in May and June and have been caused by unpasteurized milk or cheese from goat, but TBE cases also occurred by consumption of unpasteurized milk or milk products from sheep and cows.
The authors discuss measures to reduce this high number of alimentary TBE infections in Slovakia.